Eli Lilly recently announced the availability of higher doses of Zepbound in single-dose vials, priced at nearly half of the standard monthly list price. This initiative aims to make the medication accessible to more patients who lack insurance coverage, including those on Medicare.

This move reflects the company’s strategy to increase the U.S. supply of Zepbound in response to rising demand, while ensuring that qualifying patients have access to the actual treatment rather than less effective compound alternatives.

Introducing a “self-pay pharmacy” section on its direct-to-consumer platform, LillyDirect, Eli Lilly now offers elevated doses of Zepbound in single-dose vials. This follows the launch of lower doses of the drug in vials back in August. Patients diagnosed with obesity or obstructive sleep apnea—an approved condition for Zepbound—can purchase these vials directly from the website.

The 7.5 milligram and 10 milligram vials are priced at $499 per month for the initial prescription and any refills within 45 days. After this period, the prices will rise to $599 and $699, respectively, for these doses. Additionally, Eli Lilly has announced reductions of $50 for the lower-dose vials, setting the new prices at $349 for the 2.5 milligram vial and $499 for the 5 milligram vial, according to a recent statement.

Patients are required to use a syringe and needle to extract the medication from the single-dose vial for self-injection, a process that contrasts with the convenience of single-dose autoinjector pens currently available for all Zepbound dosages, which allow for easy self-administration.

Eli Lilly has indicated that these vials will significantly enhance the availability of the drug, as they are simpler to produce than autoinjector pens, which typically cost around $1,000 monthly before insurance coverage.

Patients generally begin their treatment journey with a 2.5 milligram dose for the first four weeks, followed by gradual increases. They will then proceed to maintenance doses to sustain weight loss. It’s important to note that Eli Lilly does not currently offer the maximum doses of Zepbound (12.5 milligrams and 15 milligrams) in single-dose vials.

The reduced pricing for the single-dose vials is particularly advantageous for patients willing to pay out-of-pocket and those enrolled in Medicare or employer-sponsored plans that do not cover obesity treatments.

“In light of the lack of comprehensive coverage for individuals affected by obesity, akin to other chronic conditions, we are striving to provide a more affordable option, especially for the Medicare demographic, as our affordability programs are not applicable to them,” explained Patrik Jonsson, president of Eli Lilly’s diabetes and obesity division, in a recent interview.

Medicare beneficiaries are also excluded from Eli Lilly’s savings programs for Zepbound. Jonsson expressed hope for future reforms that may allow Medicare to cover obesity medications, reflecting some skepticism from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on weight loss drugs.

Previously, due to high costs and shortages, some patients had resorted to compounding pharmacies for cheaper alternatives to Zepbound. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declared the shortage officially over, which may limit these pharmacies’ ability to produce such alternatives.

Jonsson stated that Eli Lilly does not intend to engage in price competition with compound pharmacies, believing there may no longer be a viable market for mass compounding.

Tuesday’s announcement is aimed at ensuring that patients avoid unapproved, potentially unsafe alternatives that lack FDA safety, efficacy, and quality assurances.

While Eli Lilly did not disclose the number of orders for vials from LillyDirect, Jonsson mentioned that “the response has been quite positive.”

He revealed that prescriptions filled through LillyDirect’s self-pay pharmacy likely represent a small fraction of the overall obesity treatment market. Approximately 10% of new obesity treatment patients are currently using Zepbound via this platform. Jonsson believes that the introduction of 7.5 milligram and 10 milligram vials will further increase this percentage.

LillyDirect, launched in January 2024, connects patients with an independent telehealth provider who can prescribe specific medications if they meet eligibility criteria. The site also offers a convenient home-delivery service for Eli Lilly products, utilizing a third-party online pharmacy for prescription fulfillment and delivery.

In December, health-care startup Ro announced that it would collaborate with Eli Lilly to offer single-dose vials of Zepbound through its platform.