Eli Lilly and Company have announced a collaborative effort with the Trump administration to improve access to the company’s GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Zepbound (tirzepatide) and orforglipron. The announcement comes just over a week after Lilly reached a partnership with Walmart Pharmacy that launches the first retail pick-up option offering direct-to-consumer pricing of Zepbound.¹

The agreement builds on Lilly’s previous partnership with the government announced in 2022, creating a pilot program for Lilly to become the first company to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 per month.¹

The Trump Administration and Lilly’s agreement expand Lilly’s patient access to 40 million Americans who are living with obesity on government programs, and millions of other patients who pay for medications out-of-pocket.

Lilly’s CEO releases statement in regard to the agreement with the Trump administration

"Today marks a pivotal moment in U.S. health care policy and a defining milestone for Lilly, made possible through collaboration with the Trump Administration,” said David A. Ricks, Lilly chair and CEO, in a press release. “As we expand access to obesity treatments for more Americans and advance one of the most innovative obesity pipelines, we remain focused on improving outcomes, strengthening the U.S. healthcare system, and contributing to the health of our nation for generations to come.

"This agreement adds to our established commitment to affordability—from being the first company to cap insulin prices at $35 to launching LillyDirect, the end-to-end digital healthcare experience."

What are the details of Lilly’s agreement with the Trump Administration?

Beginning as early as April 1, 2026, both Zepbound and orforglipron will be offered to Medicare beneficiaries for $50 per month, if approved by the FDA.Further, states will be able to expand access to Zepbound and orforglipron through Medicaid.¹

Lilly has already submitted orforglipron for the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher Program in an effort to potentially accelerate the FDA’s review process.

Following the FDA’s approval, self-paying patients with obesity will be able to access these medicines through LillyDirect's self-pay pharmacy channel. Zepbound multi-dose pen will be available at the lowest dose for $299, with additional doses up to $449, offering a $50 discount to current direct-to-patient prices and priced similar to European costs.¹

Lilly is also offering Zepbound multi-dose pen prescription refills for $449 on its LillyDirect digital platform, along with orforglipron, with its lowest dose starting at $149 and additional doses up to $399.¹ Emgality, Trulicity, and Mounjaro are also expected to be made available for self-pay patients on LillyDirect at a 50%-60% discount off their current list prices.¹

Per the terms of the agreement, Lilly is set to receive up to three years of tariff relief, along with avoiding future pricing mandates.¹

"The U.S. health care system has evolved in a way that's unfair to American patients and taxpayers who disproportionately pay a higher share of the costs for developing breakthrough medicines compared to other countries," Ricks added. "Lilly is in a unique position to work with the U.S. government to rebalance the global system, expand access and lower costs for Americans while also protecting our company's ability to both innovate and enhance manufacturing capacity to meet the significant demand for our life-saving medicines."

Sources

1. Lilly and U.S. government agree to expand access to obesity medicines to millions of Americans Eli Lilly and Company November 6, 2025 https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lilly-and-us-government-agree-expand-access-obesity-medicines