Lilly and U.S. Government Expand Access to Obesity Drugs
- Medicare beneficiaries to pay $50/month for Zepbound and orforglipron starting April 1, 2026.
- Lilly applied for the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher for orforglipron to expedite FDA approval.
- Zepbound and orforglipron pricing for self-pay patients starts at $299 and $149, respectively.
- Lilly invests over $50 billion in U.S. manufacturing to boost domestic production.
Agreement Overview
Eli Lilly and Company has reached an agreement with the U.S. government to expand access to its obesity medications, Zepbound and orforglipron, for Medicare beneficiaries. Starting April 1, 2026, these patients will pay no more than $50 per month, pending FDA approval.
FDA Approval and Pricing
Lilly has applied for the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher to potentially accelerate FDA approval for orforglipron. For self-pay patients, Zepbound will be available starting at $299, and orforglipron at $149, with pricing similar to European markets.
Additional Medications and Pricing
Emgality, Trulicity, and Mounjaro will be added to LillyDirect, offering self-pay patients a 50-60% discount off current list prices. Lilly will continue to offer insulin at a capped price of $35 per month for both insured and uninsured patients.
Manufacturing and Investment
Lilly is investing over $50 billion in U.S. manufacturing to enhance domestic production in key therapeutic areas. This move aligns with the company's commitment to strengthening U.S. life sciences and innovation.
Source: Lilly