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CVS drops Lilly's Zepbound
LillyLilly(US:LLY) CNBC Televisionยท2025-07-01 18:53

Market Dynamics & Competitive Landscape - CVS, through its PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager), is preferring Wegovy over Zepbound (Lilly) due to interchangeability and leveraging its coverage of millions of lives to negotiate better economic deals [1][3] - Lilly downplays the impact, stating only about 200,000 patients will be affected [5] - The shift is happening because drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound cost about $1,000 per month [3] PBM Strategy & Negotiation - PBMs negotiate drug prices in bulk, covering potentially tens of millions of lives, to bring prices down [4][5] - The prices are confidential, but some discount is surely involved [4] - Pharmacy benefits managers negotiate prices in bulk for millions of people [4] Patient Impact & Access - Patients have been scrambling to refill prescriptions, potentially seeking 90-day supplies, due to the change [6] - Patients are trying to determine if they are still covered, can get the drug at a discounted price, or qualify for a medical exemption [6]