Eli Lilly has made a significant announcement regarding the accessibility of its popular weight-management drug, Zepbound (tirzepatide). Soon, the highest approved doses of Zepbound—12.5 mg and 15 mg—will be available in single-dose vials at a self-pay price of $499 per month. This will be facilitated through LillyDirect's Self Pay Pharmacy Solutions and the Zepbound Self Pay Journey Program. Healthcare providers can begin prescribing these new vial options on July 7th, 2025, with patient shipments commencing in early August. This move means that all strengths of Zepbound vials, including the initial 2.5 mg starter dose priced at $349 for the first month, will be available for $499 or less monthly for eligible adult patients with obesity (or those with overweight and weight-related medical problems), irrespective of their insurance coverage. Zepbound is an injectable medication that aids in weight loss and maintenance, and also shows promise in improving moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. It's important to note that Zepbound should not be used concurrently with other tirzepatide-containing products or GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. The Zepbound Self Pay Journey Program further aims to support patients by offering reduced pricing on higher doses (7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg), bringing their cost down to $499 for the first fill and subsequent refills within 45 days, as patients gradually increase their dosage from the recommended 2.5 mg starting dose to a maintenance dose (typically 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg for weight management, and 10 mg or 15 mg for OSA).