A Quick 50% Price Cut for Low-Dose Zepbound (tirzepatide)
That was quick. At about 6 am today, we posted to say that obesity drug prices are stuck in the spotlight. “Bold leadership on obesity drug pricing and access to care is the only thing that will bring relief from this uncomfortable spotlight,” we wrote. Before the end of the hour, Lilly took the cue. The company announced the launch of Zepbound in vials at a price less than half the price that Wegovy injection pens list for. A month of 5 mg Zepbound vials sell for $549, while Zepbound pens go for $1,060.
With this announcement, Lilly is not talking so much about price as supply and access to care. Patrik Jonsson, Lilly’s president for cardiometabolic health said:
“These new vials not only help us meet the high demand for our obesity medicine, but also broaden access for patients seeking a safe and effective treatment option.
“The key reason is supply. We’ve seen unprecedented demand. The vials represent a new opportunity to increase supply.”
The company also notes that this price point lines up with the cost for Zepbound in their discount program. The point it to ease things a bit for for patients who lack insurance coverage.
Praise from Patient Advocates
This is a bold step for the simple reason that it expands the price break that savings programs offer – well beyond the limitation of traditional patient programs. It uses the LillyDirect program to bypass the twisted influence of PBMs.
From the Obesity Action Coalition, Chief Operating Officer James Zervios offered praise for this leadership:
“People living with obesity have long been denied access to the essential treatment and care needed to manage this serious chronic disease. Expanding coverage and affordability of treatments is vital to people living with obesity. We commend Lilly for their leadership in offering an innovative solution that brings us closer to making equitable care a reality. Now, it’s time for policymakers, employers and insurers to work with pharmaceutical companies to ensure no one is left behind in receiving the care they deserve and need.”
No, this is not the final word on obesity drug pricing. But it is a step in the right direction.
Click here and here for further perspective.
Zepbound Vials, photograph by Eli Lilly and Company / PR Newswire
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August 27, 2024
August 28, 2024 at 2:38 pm, Katherine T Rivard said:
Having worked in post-acute TCU x two floors care, the quality is low and transition to health is slow as companies struggle with medication management in LTC.
Thank you for the detailed update on Zepbound (tirzepatide) vial prices from Lilly
September 07, 2024 at 1:26 pm, Zepbound User said:
But Lilly also RAISED the Zepbound coupon cost $100, from $550 to $650, for the pens. It would have been nice to see OAC call them out on that. It is time to get tough on Lilly and Novo about prices, and the insurance companies for lack of coverage. My insurance plan covers NO obesity meds. How is that not discrimination against a disease? Where are the class action lawsuits to challenge this?