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

Published: Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 12:43 am

Eli Lilly Partners with Walmart to Offer Weight Loss Drug Directly to Consumers

Eli Lilly and Company is expanding access to its weight loss drug, Zepbound, through a new partnership with Walmart. Starting next month, patients with a valid prescription will be able to purchase single-dose vials of Zepbound at Walmart pharmacies nationwide or opt for home delivery. This initiative leverages Eli Lilly's direct-to-consumer platform, LillyDirect, which launched earlier this year.

The move aims to improve the affordability and availability of Zepbound, a drug that has gained significant popularity since its FDA approval in 2023 for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight conditions. The drug is a GLP-1 agonist, a class of medications that can improve blood sugar control and promote weight loss.

Eli Lilly is offering significant cost savings through LillyDirect. The recommended starting dose of Zepbound is available for $349 per month, while other doses are priced at $499 per month. These prices represent savings of 50% or more compared to the list price of similar medications for obesity. However, access to the higher doses may require patients to meet specific criteria.

The demand for weight loss drugs like Zepbound has surged, but access has been a challenge for some patients due to insurance coverage issues. Many insurance providers, including companies like Cigna, require prior authorization and adherence to specific criteria. This has led to difficulties for patients who rely on these medications for approved treatments.

BNN's Perspective: This partnership between Eli Lilly and Walmart represents a positive step towards increasing access to potentially life-changing medications for individuals struggling with obesity. While the direct-to-consumer model may offer cost savings, it is crucial to ensure that patients are properly informed about the drug's potential side effects and that access is not limited to those who can afford the out-of-pocket costs. Further, it is important to monitor the impact of this initiative on the broader healthcare landscape and the availability of these medications for all patients, regardless of their financial situation.

Keywords: Eli Lilly, Walmart, Zepbound, weight loss drug, direct-to-consumer, LillyDirect, GLP-1 agonist, obesity, insurance coverage, affordability, prescription, medication, healthcare

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