CVS restores Zepbound coverage, adds Eli Lilly's obesity pill Foundayo
CNBC • • general
Key Points:
- CVS Health will restore coverage of Eli Lilly's weight loss injection Zepbound starting October 1 and begin covering Lilly's new obesity pill Foundayo from June 1, expanding treatment options for patients.
- This decision places Lilly and Novo Nordisk on equal footing in CVS Caremark's standard commercial formulary, which covers 25 to 30 million Americans, enhancing competition in the GLP-1 weight loss drug market.
- The move follows last year's agreement making Novo Nordisk's Wegovy the preferred obesity treatment on CVS plans, which had limited access to Lilly's drugs, but now both companies' GLP-1 medications will be co-preferred options.
- CVS expects the expanded coverage to generate 10% to 15% additional savings in the weight management category, citing successful pricing negotiations with both drugmakers to improve affordability and access.
- Novo Nordisk confirmed its drugs will retain preferred status on CVS formularies, ensuring patients can continue treatment without interruption, while CVS emphasized its role in creating new access and options through active market engagement.