Eli Lilly, Walmart to offer first retail pickup option for discounted vials of weight loss drug Zepbound

Core Insights - Eli Lilly and Walmart have partnered to enhance access to Zepbound, a weight loss drug, allowing U.S. patients to purchase it directly through retail locations for the first time [1][2] Group 1: Partnership Details - The collaboration aims to maintain Eli Lilly's competitive edge over Novo Nordisk in the growing GLP-1 obesity and diabetes drug market [2][5] - Starting mid-November, cash-paying patients can buy single-dose vials of Zepbound at discounts of 50% or more through Walmart's pharmacies or home delivery [3][6] - Walmart will be the first in-store pickup pharmacy for Zepbound vials via Eli Lilly's LillyDirect platform, which launched in January 2024 [4] Group 2: Pricing and Accessibility - The cost for single-dose vials of Zepbound is set at $349 per month for the starting dose and $499 per month for other doses, consistent across both delivery and pickup options [6] - The partnership is expected to enhance Eli Lilly's market reach, although no specific estimates were provided on the expansion of Zepbound's accessibility [4] Group 3: Market Position - Walmart ranks as the fifth-largest pharmacy in the U.S. based on prescription dispensing revenue, which could significantly benefit Eli Lilly in maintaining its market position [5] - The partnership comes amid pressures from the Trump administration for drugmakers to simplify access to medications through direct-to-consumer models [2]