Eli Lilly, Walmart Announce Expansion of Direct-to Consumer Access for Tirzepatide

Eli Lilly and Walmart announced a collaboration to expand direct-to-consumer pricing for tirzepatide (Zepbound) as single-dose vials available through LillyDirect. Zepbound is indicated for the management of obesity for patients, which differs from tirzepatide (Wegovy), as that is approved for patients with diabetes.¹

“Managing a chronic disease like obesity can be a significant and ongoing burden—physically, emotionally, and financially,” Jennifer Mazur, senior vice president and general manager of LillyDirect, said in a news release.¹ “This collaboration with Walmart is designed to reduce that burden by streamlining access to prescribed treatment. By combining LillyDirect’s innovative, patient-centered platform with Walmart’s nationwide pharmacy footprint, we’re expanding options for patients facing access challenges, making it easier to start and stay on authentic Lilly medicine.”

Eli Lilly launched more dosages of tirzepatide through Lilly Direct Self Pay Pharmacy Solutions earlier in 2025. In February, the company launched the 7.5 mg and 10 mg single-dose vials as part of the direct pay program as well as reduced the prices of the 2.5 mg and 5 mg vials in the program. For the 2.5 mg vial, the cost was reduced to $349 per month, and the 5 mg, 7.5 mg, and 10 mg vials cost $499 per month. In June 2025, the company expanded the program to offer the 12.5 mg and 15 mg vials for $499 per month. The aim of the self-pay program is to increase price transparency by removing third-party supply chains and allowing patients to save regardless of insurance.^2,3

According to Walmart, their pharmacies will be offering pickup nationwide by mid-November. The vials will be available at all approved strengths, and the lowest dose aligns with the price offered by LillyDirect. All other doses will also align with the self-pay program. Patients with a valid and on-label prescription will be able to receive the drug without insurance.¹

“Life is busy, and this will help people discover new, easy ways to get their medication,” Kevin Host, senior vice president of pharmacy at Walmart, said in the news release.¹ “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.”

Both out-of-pocket (OOP) costs and prior authorizations for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications have reached significant highs by 2025. Coverage rates were generally high and exceeded approximately 85% by 2025 for all GLP-1 medications in an analysis from JAMA. The only decline that investigators found was for brand name liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda). For OOP costs, the investigators stated that costs from 2024 to 2025 increased substantially, with Part D plans alone having monthly costs increase from $99 to $109 in 2024 and then from $175 to $196 in 2025. For Medicare Advantage Part D plans, costs increased from $52 to $64 and $93 to 101%, respectively.⁴

READ MORE: Obesity Management Resource Center

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REFERENCES

1. LillyDirect and Walmart Pharmacy launch first retail pick-up option with direct-to-consumer pricing for Zepbound. News release. Walmart. October 29, 2025. Accessed October 29, 2025. https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2025/10/29/lillydirect-and-walmart-pharmacy-launch-first-retail-pick-up-option-with-direct-to-consumer-pricing-for-zepbound

2. Gallagher A. Eli Lilly launches self-pay vials of tirzepatide for patients with obesity. Drug Topics. February 27, 3035. Accessed October 29, 2025. https://www.drugtopics.com/view/eli-lilly-launches-self-pay-vials-of-tirzepatide-for-patients-with-obesity

3. Gallagher A. Eli Lilly adds highest doses of Zepbound to online pharmacy platform. Drug Topics. June 16, 2025. Accessed October 29, 2025. https://www.drugtopics.com/view/eli-lilly-adds-highest-doses-of-zepbound-to-online-pharmacy-platform

4. Nowosielski B. OOP costs, prior authorizations for GLP-1s are expected to increase dramatically by 2025. Drug Topics. September 28, 2025. Accessed October 29, 2025. https://www.drugtopics.com/view/oop-costs-prior-authorizations-for-glp-1s-expected-to-increase-dramatically-by-2025