About 700,000 new Medicare beneficiaries have started GLP-1 treatment since the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge launched in July, with approximately 70% taking Eli Lilly medicines, CEO Dave Ricks said.
Interest in GLP-1 treatments among Medicare beneficiaries has accelerated following the launch of the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program in July. Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks told CNBC in a Sept. 21 interview that about 700,000 new Medicare beneficiaries have started GLP-1 treatment since the program launched, with 70% taking Lilly medicines.
$50 monthly copay
The Bridge program gives eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries access to selected GLP-1 medicines for a $50 monthly copay. The program includes Zepbound, Foundayo and injectable or oral Wegovy.
Manufacturers are supplying the medicines at a net price of $245 per monthly supply under the program. The demonstration is scheduled to run through December 2027.
Zepbound leads new patient volume
According to Ricks, Zepbound is capturing a significant share of new patient volume. Physicians continue to favor the drug for patients with higher body weights and related complications, he said.
Lilly’s oral GLP-1 medicine Foundayo, which is aimed at patients seeking less weight loss, now accounts for about one-third of patients newly starting oral GLP-1 treatments, according to Ricks.
He also said he has not heard of major logistical problems with the rollout and credited the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services with managing the launch effectively.
Pharmacies report strong interest
The update follows reports last week that pharmacies were seeing stronger-than-expected interest in the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program.
A Walgreens executive, however, identified the future of beneficiaries’ coverage after the demonstration ends as an important issue to watch.
