CVS restores coverage for Lilly’s obesity drug Zepbound

12:45

The American healthcare company CVS Health has announced that it will reinstate insurance coverage for Eli Lilly’s obesity treatment Zepbound, marking a significant shift in its pharmacy benefit policies.

The decision was made by CVS Caremark, the company’s pharmacy benefit management division, which confirmed that Zepbound will be added back to selected commercial drug formularies starting October 1. The move aims to expand access to weight-loss treatments while helping employers and health plans manage rising healthcare costs.

Zepbound, developed by Eli Lilly and Company, had previously been removed from CVS coverage lists in 2024 following pricing negotiations and changes in preferred drug agreements. During that period, CVS maintained coverage for competing treatments, including Wegovy from Novo Nordisk.

CVS also announced that it will lift certain restrictions on newly approved medications, allowing broader access to recent obesity treatments as demand for GLP-1 drugs continues to grow rapidly across the United States.

The company noted that the increasing popularity and high cost of weight-loss medications have led many insurers and employers to reassess coverage policies. The latest decision reflects a broader trend in the healthcare sector toward balancing innovation, affordability, and patient access.