Ro, a direct-to-consumer healthcare company, today announced a new partnership with Eli Lilly that will allow more patients to access an affordable version of the single-dose vial weight loss medication Zepbound. As one of the most widely sought drugs in the GLP-1 class, Zepbound has grown in popularity in recent years for its ability to suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar levels.
Through this tie-up, Ro will enable end-to-end healthcare experiences through a single platform and application. Eligible patients can get diagnosed, acquire prescriptions for Zepbound, and get vials of the medicine delivered directly to the doorsteps. This whole process is enabled through unique integration with Eli Lilly’s LillyDirect website, that could earlier enable home delivery for Zepbound through Gifthealth, third-party digital pharmacy. Gifthealth will continue to manage the distribution of vials for those patients receiving prescriptions using Ro’s affiliated providers.
The new initiative offers a more affordable option for patients, as the Zepbound vials are priced significantly lower than the autoinjector form of the drug, which costs around $1,000 per month before insurance. The single-dose vials are priced at $399 for the 2.5-milligram version and $549 for the 5-milligram version before insurance, making them more accessible to individuals without insurance coverage for the drug. Eli Lilly started selling these vials through LillyDirect in August with the objective of providing a less expensive alternative to other GLP-1 medication forms.
Ro’s CEO, Zachariah Reitano, highlighted that this integration is convenient because it puts all the services patients may need under one roof-from consultations, lab tests, and prescriptions. He added that even though the cost of Zepbound vials remains unaffordable for many, it is significantly cheaper than the autoinjector, and hence still accessible to most patients.
The demand for the GLP-1 drug Zepbound and for Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy has led to shortages in the United States, though production capacity continues to grow. In reaction, Eli Lilly is now working to expand access to branded Zepbound, in an effort to lessen the use of compounded versions of this drug. Patrik Jonsson, President of Cardiometabolic Health for Eli Lilly, explained the combination with Ro is an extension of the company’s commitment to “breaking down barriers” and bringing safe and effective treatment to patients.
