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Medicare Opens Door for New Obesity Pill
31 Jan
Summary
- Eli Lilly plans to launch a new obesity pill, orforglipron.
- Medicare coverage for obesity medication begins this year.
- Copays could be as low as $50 per month for beneficiaries.
Eli Lilly is preparing to launch its new obesity pill, orforglipron, in the second quarter of 2026. This launch coincides with a significant shift as Medicare begins to cover obesity medications for the first time. This new coverage is anticipated to make treatments more accessible, with potential monthly copays for eligible Medicare beneficiaries as low as $50 for both injectable and oral GLP-1 drugs.
This development is expected to considerably expand the market for weight-loss medications. Eli Lilly's CEO estimates that between 20 million and 30 million Medicare beneficiaries are obese, highlighting the substantial impact of this coverage change. While the GLP-1 drugs offer significant potential benefits for weight management and related health complications, experts caution about potential side effects and the long-term cost implications for the healthcare system.
