Eli Lilly has announced another price reduction for its obesity drug Zepbound when purchased through the company’s direct-to-consumer platform, LillyDirect. The new pricing lowers the cost of a one-month supply of the lowest dose (2.5 mg) from $349 to $299. The 5-mg dose will now cost $399 per month, down from $499. Higher doses—7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 mg—will be reduced from $499 to $449 per month.
This move comes after Novo Nordisk revealed on November 17 that it would offer a self-pay option for its GLP-1 drugs Wegovy and Ozempic at $199 per month. According to BMO Capital Markets analysts, “although Lilly is reducing the prices for cash pay Zepbound, we still see the product priced at a premium to Novo’s cash pay Wegovy.”
Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have reached agreements with the U.S. federal government to provide their GLP-1 medications at discounted rates through Medicare and an upcoming DTC platform called TrumpRx. Under these deals, Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy will be available for $350 per month via TrumpRx, while Lilly’s Zepbound and orfoglipron will average $346 per month.
Additionally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced further price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act. These changes are expected to reduce the cost of Ozempic and Wegovy by 71% from their list prices starting January 1, 2027.
BMO Capital Markets analysts commented on these developments: “We reiterate that the important comparison remains the difference between the product’s newly discounted price and the product’s ultimate net price, including rebates,” emphasizing that net costs may differ from list prices.
The rapid decline in GLP-1 drug prices follows recent agreements between manufacturers and government agencies. Experts note that this situation creates uncertainty about future trends in obesity drug pricing as companies adjust their strategies in response to market pressures.
