Single-dose vials of tirzepatide now available on LillyDirect for adults with obesity
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Key takeaways:
- Adults with obesity and a valid prescription can purchase 2.5 mg and 5 mg single-dose vials of tirzepatide.
- The single doses are available through a self-pay pharmacy component of LillyDirect.
Adults with obesity who have been prescribed tirzepatide can now purchase 2.5 mg and 5 mg single-dose vials of the medication, Eli Lilly announced.
As Healio previously reported, the FDA approved tirzepatide (Zepbound, Eli Lilly) for chronic weight management among adults with obesity or overweight with one weight-related comorbidity in November 2023.
In response to high demand for the drug, adults with obesity and a prescription for tirzepatide can pay for single-dose vials of the medication through a self-pay pharmacy component of Eli Lilly’s digital health care hub LillyDirect, the company stated in a press release. A 2.5 mg vial of tirzepatide will cost $99.75, or $399 for a 4-week supply, while a 5 mg vial of the drug will cost $137.25, or $549 for a 4-week supply.
According to the release, self-pay through LillyDirect allows for a transparent price by removing third-party supply chain entities and allowing purchasers to access savings outside of health insurance. The company also stated the program allows patients to purchase genuine tirzepatide medications and avoid possible counterfeit products. Ancillary supplies such as syringes and needles will also be available for purchase.
According to the release, Eli Lilly will use a multi-step verification process to ensure patients have a valid electronic prescription for the medication from a provider. As Healio previously reported, Eli Lilly released an open letter earlier in 2024 stating tirzepatide is only FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity and should not be used for cosmetic weight loss.
"People living with obesity have long been denied access to the essential treatment and care needed to manage this serious chronic disease," James Zervos, chief operating officer of Obesity Action Coalition, said in a press release. "Expanding coverage and affordability of treatments is vital to people living with obesity. We commend Lilly for their leadership in offering an innovative solution that brings us closer to making equitable care a reality. Now, it's time for policymakers, employers and insurers to work with pharmaceutical companies to ensure no one is left behind in receiving the care they deserve and need."
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