Eli Lilly has teamed up with Walmart to make its weight loss drug, Zepbound, more accessible to customers nationwide. This marks the first time the pharmaceutical company has partnered with a retail giant through its direct-to-consumer platform, LillyDirect.

Starting mid-November, patients will be able to pick up their Zepbound single-dose vials from Walmart pharmacies across the United States. With nearly 4,600 pharmacy locations, Walmart will serve as the first in-store pickup option for customers using LillyDirect.

For the first time, patients can use LillyDirect’s self-pay feature to purchase Zepbound at a physical retail pharmacy, combining the convenience of telehealth with local accessibility.

Affordable Options for Weight Management

Zepbound will be available in all approved strengths, starting at $349 per month for the lowest dose when purchased through self-pay. Patients with a valid prescription for the drug can buy it directly through LillyDirect without using insurance, allowing for a more transparent and straightforward process.

Eli Lilly first launched LillyDirect in January 2024 to simplify how patients access medications for chronic conditions such as diabetes, migraines, and obesity. The platform blends telehealth services with pharmacy support, helping users connect with licensed healthcare providers and get medicines delivered to their homes.

As demand for Zepbound continues to grow, the addition of a retail pickup option aims to reduce waiting times and improve convenience for users across different regions.

Strengthening the LillyDirect Ecosystem

Beyond Walmart, Eli Lilly is also expanding its collaborations within the healthcare ecosystem. Patients can now connect with care providers like 9am Health, Form Health, and knownwell for Zepbound prescriptions. The company has also joined forces with virtual health platforms including Ro, LifeMD, Teladoc Health, and Amazon Pharmacy to make Zepbound’s lower-cost, single-dose vials widely available.

Jennifer Mazur, Senior Vice President and General Manager of LillyDirect, emphasized that obesity management is often an emotional and financial struggle. She said the partnership with Walmart was created to “reduce that burden by streamlining access to prescribed treatment.” According to her, combining LillyDirect’s patient-focused approach with Walmart’s extensive reach will give patients more options and make it easier to continue their treatment.

Simple, Flexible Access for Patients

Patients starting or continuing Zepbound therapy can now have prescriptions routed directly to LillyDirect through their healthcare provider’s electronic system. From there, they can choose either free home delivery or convenient pickup at their nearest Walmart Pharmacy.

Kevin Host, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy at Walmart, said the initiative is about creating simpler solutions for customers. “Life is busy, and this will help people discover new, easy ways to get their medication,” he said.

By bringing together Eli Lilly’s innovation and Walmart’s nationwide reach, this partnership is set to make weight management treatment more accessible and flexible than ever before.