Drugmaker Eli Lilly has reduced the prices of the two lower doses of its weight loss drug Zepbound in order to increase access and address supply constraints. The monthly cost for the lowest dose will be $399, while the 5 mg dose will cost $549. Both doses will only be available through Lilly’s telehealth platform, LillyDirect, and won’t be covered by insurance. The drug will be sold in vials, requiring patients to draw it out with a syringe.
The move to vials is seen as a response to supply issues with the auto-injector pens, which has frustrated Zepbound users. However, some, like Dr. Maria Daniela Hurtado Andrade, believe the new pricing may still be too high for many patients. Dr. Shauna Levy sees it as a positive step for the obesity community, and pressure from the government may urge other drugmakers to lower prices.
The availability of the lower-cost vials will benefit those without insurance or whose insurance doesn’t cover the drug. However, there may be concerns about patients transitioning from pens to vials and the potential cost implications. Patients who can’t afford the medication, like D Scott, may struggle with the use of a syringe as well.
Overall, the move to lower prices for Zepbound’s lower doses through vials is seen as a step towards increasing access to the drug, but concerns remain about affordability and usability for some patients.
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