Copyright Newsweek
From mid-November, single-dose vials of the popular weight-loss jab—Zepbound (tirzepatide)---will be available to buy from Walmart pharmacies across the U.S., thanks to a new collaboration between the retailer and pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. Why It Matters According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over two in five American adults are obese. Enabling those suffering from obesity and weight-related illnesses, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, to pick up this weight-loss medication from their local Walmart store will make it more accessible and ultimately, help people struggling with obesity manage their weight and live healthier lifestyles. What To Know Starting mid-November, patients with a valid prescription can either use LillyDirect’s online service to buy single-dose vials of Zepbound or pick it up from their local Walmart pharmacy (there are nearly 4,600 across the U.S.), without needing insurance. Pricing begins at $349 per month for the recommended starting dose, which is 2.5 milligrams. Higher doses, ranging from 5 milligrams to 15, will be offered at $499 per month. Through LillyDirect’s direct-to-consumer program, Zepbound is around 50 percent cheaper than other, similar weight loss drugs that help manage obesity and related conditions. Providing both home delivery services and local in-store pickup options means consumers can now access treatment to help them manage their weight more easily and with greater flexibility—although in the official press release, Walmart has said that the drug “should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.” The release also states that it’s “not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children,” and “should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines.” What People Are Saying Jennifer Mazur, SVP and general manager of LillyDirect, said: "Managing a chronic disease like obesity can be a significant and ongoing burden—physically, emotionally, and financially. This collaboration with Walmart is designed to reduce that burden by streamlining access to prescribed treatment.” Mazur also said that: “The growth of LillyDirect's direct-to-consumer offering underscores the momentum behind a more modern, consumer-driven model of care. LillyDirect, powered by Walmart, builds on that progress—extending convenience and choice to patients while reinforcing LillyDirect's mission to empower more people on their health journey." Kevin Host, senior vice president of pharmacy at Walmart, said: "We are known for building great relationships with our patients, and our teams look forward to doing more of that through making this pickup option available from our trusted pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.” What Happens Next The partnership between Walmart and Eli Lilly supports initiatives to broaden access and address emerging patient needs as demand for obesity medications continues to grow.
