Eli Lilly has introduced 7.5 mg and 10 mg single-dose vials of Zepbound (tirzepatide), offering them at a discounted price of $499 per month through the Zepbound Self Pay Journey Program. The company also reduced the cost of its lower-dose vials, with 2.5 mg now priced at $349 and 5 mg at $499.
These vial-based options, available via LillyDirect, provide a lower-cost alternative to Zepbound’s injector pens, which are priced at $650 per month for uninsured patients. The initiative aims to improve affordability and accessibility as demand for weight-loss medications grows.
Lilly's move comes amid increasing competition with Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and ongoing regulatory scrutiny of compounded versions of weight-loss drugs. To maintain discounted pricing on the higher-dose vials, patients must refill prescriptions within 45 days.
The Obesity Action Coalition welcomed the price reductions, though its CEO, Joe Nadglowski, emphasized the need for broader insurance coverage for obesity treatment.
More details are available at LillyDirect.
LinkedIn Commentary: Expanding Access, but Is It Enough?
Since this post was published, there has been significant discussion on LinkedIn about the affordability and accessibility of Zepbound. While Eli Lilly’s introduction of vial options and lower self-pay pricing is a step forward, many believe that $499 per month still puts the medication out of reach for those who need it most.
Lydia Alexander, MD, President of the Obesity Medicine Association, noted:
“We must continue advocating for solutions that prioritize patient health over system barriers.”
The conversation also touched on the FDA’s recent decision to declare the tirzepatide shortage over. Law professor Dennis Crouch pointed out that this move effectively ends compounding pharmacies’ legal ability to produce lower-cost versions, reinforcing the role of patent protections, which extend into 2036.
As the debate continues, a key question remains: What further steps are needed to ensure these treatments become genuinely affordable and accessible?
