Eli Lilly Lowers Zepbound Prices and Expands Dosage Options Amid Market Competition

Eli Lilly has announced a reduction in the price of vials for its obesity medication, Zepbound, alongside an expansion of available dosage options. The move is seen as an effort to compete with compounded alternatives and offerings from rival pharmaceutical companies.
Initially introduced in injectable pens with a list price of approximately $1,000 per month, Zepbound became available in vials last year at reduced prices for the lowest doses—2.5 milligrams and 5 milligrams—at $399 and $549 per month, respectively. Despite this, concerns remained about accessibility, particularly as the vials were only an option for patients paying out-of-pocket without insurance coverage.
With the latest adjustments, Eli Lilly has lowered the prices of the existing vials to $349 for the 2.5-mg dose and $499 for the 5-mg dose. Additionally, the company is introducing vials for 7.5-mg and 10-mg doses, priced at $599 and $699 per month. A special pricing option will allow patients to pay $499 for the first and subsequent refills of these higher doses.

The strategy aims to make Zepbound a more attractive option for patients purchasing the medication through Lilly’s direct-to-consumer website, LillyDirect. Analysts suggest that these lower price points could help divert demand away from compounded versions of the drug, which have gained traction due to supply shortages and lower costs.
Following the announcement, Eli Lilly’s stock rose by 2.6% to $905.32, while shares of telehealth companies that provide compounded versions of weight-loss medications experienced declines. Patients purchasing Zepbound vials through LillyDirect will now have access to the higher-dose vials at $499 for their first fill and subsequent refill, provided they adhere to a 45-day refill requirement. Failure to meet this timeframe could result in an increased cost of up to $699 for repeat prescriptions.
The broader weight-loss medication market has become increasingly competitive, particularly as Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk vie for market share. Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug Wegovy, for example, costs $650 per month for patients without insurance coverage, but it is not offered in vial form.

Compounded versions of Zepbound and Wegovy have gained popularity due to their lower prices, which average between $231 and $330 per month. However, regulatory actions may soon limit their availability. The FDA recently removed both drugs from its shortage list, triggering legal disputes with compounding pharmacies that had been permitted to sell and distribute these medications while shortages persisted.
Patrik Jonsson, Eli Lilly’s president of cardiometabolic health, emphasized the company’s intent with these changes: “More than 10% of patients starting on Zepbound have been initiated on vials since their launch.” He noted that the pricing adjustments and expanded dose offerings are intended to enhance patients’ access.