Eli Lilly and Company has announced that Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection is now available in US pharmacies for adults with obesity (with a BMI of 30kg/m2 or greater) or those who are overweight (with a BMI of 27kg/m2 or greater) and also have weight-related medical problems such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease, to lose weight and keep it off.
Zepbound injection is FDA-approved as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management. It is the first and only FDA-approved obesity treatment that activates both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone receptors.
According to the guidance, it should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Zepbound should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist medicines, and it has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis, or with severe gastrointestinal disease, including severe gastroparesis.
Following the FDA approval in November 2023, people living with obesity can now access Zepbound in six doses (2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, 15mg) through a prescription that can be filled at retail and mail-order pharmacies.
"Today opens another chapter for adults living with obesity who have been looking for a new treatment option like Zepbound," said Rhonda Pacheco, group vice president, Lilly Diabetes and Obesity, US. "The availability of Zepbound in US pharmacies is the first step, but we have to work hand-in-hand with employers, government and healthcare industry partners to remove barriers and make Zepbound available to those who need it. We are excited to see growing coverage in the marketplace, giving millions of Americans access to Zepbound."
Effective on 1 December, Zepbound was added to the National Preferred Formulary for Express Scripts and Cigna Healthcare, and effective 15 December 2023, it will be added to Cigna Healthcare's commercial formularies. Lilly's commercial savings card program is now available at US pharmacies to help adults who need Zepbound access it.
People who are commercially insured with coverage for Zepbound may be eligible to pay as low as US$25 for a one-month or three-month prescription. People who are commercially insured without coverage for Zepbound may be eligible to pay as low as US$550 for a one-month prescription of Zepbound, approximately 50% lower than the list price.
They company also revealed it is continuing to invest in the expansion of its global manufacturing footprint to address the expected demand for innovative new treatments, like Zepbound, and help ensure the safe and reliable supply of its medicines.