Lilly makes all Zepbound doses available through its direct pay programme

Eli Lilly said Monday it will offer the highest-approved doses of its GIP/GLP-1 agonist Zepbound (tirzepatide) through its direct-to-consumer platform in the US, bolstering a self-pay strategy for the popular weight-loss drug that began with lower doses last year.

The drugmaker will now make 12.5-mg and 15-mg single-dose vials available for $499 per month through its LillyDirect digital health platform, with prescriptions opening July 7 and shipments to patients starting in early August. The move brings all six Zepbound doses under the company's direct-pay umbrella.

"Lilly was the first company to offer a self-pay solution for an FDA-approved obesity medication, and we continue to work to expand coverage for Zepbound," said Rhonda Pacheco, group vice president of US cardiometabolic health at Lilly. "The availability of the two highest-dose Zepbound vials gives providers and patients another important treatment option."

The strategy builds on Lilly's pricing adjustments in February, when the company lowered costs for its 2.5-mg starter dose and introduced 7.5-mg and 10-mg vials. Those changes saw patients on the Zepbound Self Pay Journey Program pay $349 for the starter dose (it was originally $399), then $499 for the 5-mg dose, which is the next step in treatment. Higher doses of 7.5 mg ($599), 10 mg ($699), 12.5 mg ($849) and 15 mg ($1049) will be available at a reduced monthly cost of $499 for the first fill and refills made within 45 days of the prior delivery.

Some analysts have noted that the LillyDirect programme, which bypasses the rebates or discounts that come through traditional channels, could drive higher net pricing — by improving patient adherence through more consistent access — even if the drug's list price is lower (see – Spotlight On: Lilly looks to enhance the self-pay market for Zepbound).

Lilly's direct-pay expansion comes as Novo Nordisk launched its own NovoCare Pharmacy service in March, offering all doses of its competing weight-loss drug Wegovy (semaglutide) for $499 monthly to cash-paying patients. Both companies moved to capture market share from compounding pharmacies, which had been producing lower-cost versions of the drugs during supply shortages that have since been resolved.