LillyDirect taps Walmart to offer Zepbound its first retail pickup option
Eli Lilly and Company announced a partnership with Walmart on Wednesday to expand access to its GLP-1 Zepbound through LillyDirect, marking LillyDirect's first retail partnership.
LillyDirect is Lilly's direct-to-consumer digital health platform and online pharmacy service. It provides medication for patients with obesity, migraines and diabetes. Patients may choose to use insurance or pay out of pocket for certain medications.
Normally, patients who access Zepbound through LillyDirect can get free home delivery, but the partnership with Walmart gives them the option to pick up their order at a local Walmart pharmacy as well. People with a Zepbound prescription can purchase the 2.5 mg dose for $349 per month and pay $499 per month for all other doses.
Patients first send their Zepbound prescription to LillyDirect through their provider's electronic health record system. They can then choose home delivery or pickup at Walmart.
“Consumers are hungry for choice and convenience when it comes to healthcare, including prescription drugs, and consumers are demanding price transparency,” Jennifer Mazur, senior vice president and general manager of LillyDirect, said in an interview. “This partnership with Walmart combines LillyDirect's digital experience with Walmart's extensive pharmacy network … to give consumers the option of free delivery to their home or in-person retail pickup at their local Walmart pharmacy. This really ensures consumers have the flexibility and confidence to access Lilly prescription medications with continued price transparency.”
A Walmart executive echoed those comments.
“Life is busy, and this will help people discover new, easy ways to get their medications,” Kevin Horst, senior vice president of pharmacy at Walmart, said in a statement. “We are known for building great relationships with our patients, and our team looks forward to doing more by offering this pickup option through our trusted pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.”
Mazur added that LillyDirect chose Walmart as its first retail partner because of Walmart's scale and both parties' “commitment to making health care more accessible to patients.” The company has approximately 4,600 pharmacies nationwide.
When asked whether LillyDirect would expand to more retail partners, Mazur said the company would “continue to explore ways to expand health care coverage.”
A behavioral scientist says this partnership between LillyDirect and Walmart could provide greater convenience for patients at a time when many people face barriers in getting GLP-1 to lose weight or treat diabetes.
“Enabling patients to purchase GLP-1 at the retail store where they already shop removes friction and resolves many barriers,” said Amy Bucher, Ph.D., chief behavioral scientist at Lirio. “This convenience can lead to increased uptake and better adherence among patients starting treatment. In addition to easier access to medications and refills, integrating pharmacy pickup with daily shopping can help strengthen adherence habits. The direct-to-consumer model can also help patients who are often confused or disenfranchised by the healthcare system, giving them more control and clarity over their treatment journey.”
Photographed by Eli Lilly and Company
