Eli Lilly partners with Walmart to sell weight-loss drug directly to patients nationwide

Core Insights - Eli Lilly's weight loss drug Zepbound will be available at Walmart pharmacies nationwide through a direct-to-consumer program starting next month [1] - The direct-to-consumer platform, LillyDirect, aims to enhance affordability and accessibility of Zepbound by allowing consumers to purchase directly from Eli Lilly without insurance [2] - Eli Lilly has reduced the cost of certain Zepbound doses by at least 50%, with the starting dose priced at $349 per month, compared to a list price of $499 for other doses [3] Availability and Accessibility - The partnership with Walmart enables patients with valid prescriptions to pick up Zepbound at pharmacies or opt for home delivery [1] - The drug's popularity has increased since its FDA approval in 2023, but access has been complicated by insurance coverage issues [4][10] - Even with insurance, prior authorization is often required, which includes specific criteria such as BMI thresholds and prior treatment attempts [10] Drug Classification and Efficacy - Zepbound is approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight conditions and is classified as a GLP-1 agonist, similar to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Ozempic [7] - Studies indicate that Zepbound may also reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes [5]