This website collects cookies to deliver better user experience. Cookie Policy
Accept
Sign In
The Wall Street Publication
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Reading: CVS Caremark drops protection of common weight reduction drug
Share
The Wall Street PublicationThe Wall Street Publication
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.
The Wall Street Publication > Blog > Lifestyle > CVS Caremark drops protection of common weight reduction drug
Lifestyle

CVS Caremark drops protection of common weight reduction drug

Editorial Board Published July 8, 2025
Share
CVS Caremark drops protection of common weight reduction drug
SHARE

CVS Caremark, one of many three main pharmacy profit managers (PBM) within the U.S., stopped protection for Eli Lilly’s common weight-loss drug Zepbound, blaming medication prefer it for driving up total plan prices. 

GLP-1 merchandise, initially developed to deal with sort 2 diabetes, however at the moment are FDA-approved particularly for weight problems underneath model names like Wegovy and Zepbound, are “significantly contributing to overall plan costs”, CVS spokesperson Phillip Blando instructed FOX Enterprise. Eradicating protection of the drug will end in an estimated consumer financial savings of 10% to fifteen% 12 months over 12 months within the anti-obesity medicine area for its purchasers who select to cowl these drugs for weight reduction, in keeping with Blando. 

Zepbound, the model identify for Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide, was permitted by the FDA in 2023 for power weight administration in adults with weight problems or chubby with weight-related medical issues. Tirzepatide was already permitted to deal with sort 2 diabetes and was offered underneath the model identify Mounjaro. 

TRUMP SAYS DRUG PRICES WILL BE CUT BY AS MUCH AS 90%: WHAT TO KNOW

A “Drive-Thru Pharmacy” signal is displayed outdoors of a CVS Caremark Corp. retailer in Dallas, Texas, U.S., on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014.  (Ben Torres/Bloomberg through Getty Photos / Getty Photos)

Zepbound was broadly seen as a game-changer within the struggle towards weight problems, after individuals in a late-stage examine misplaced as much as 1 / 4 of their physique weight – making it simpler than Wegovy.

Blando mentioned the “egregiously high list prices” for GLP-1 merchandise which are set by drug producers are “the single biggest barrier to patient access.”

“Many payers, including Medicare and numerous state benefit plans, have declined to cover GLP-1s for weight loss because of the unsustainably high prices set by brand pharma,” he mentioned. 

Nevertheless, there’ll nonetheless be exceptions if the drug is deemed a “medical necessity.” That exemption can be reviewed “on a case-by-case basis,” in keeping with Blando.

CVS Caremark is a subsidiary of CVS Well being Corp., which additionally owns CVS Pharmacy. As a pharmacy profit supervisor, CVS Caremark primarily acts as a negotiator between pharmacies, insurers and drug producers throughout the prescription drug provide chain. PBMs negotiate with drug producers and pharmacies to determine how a lot medicines value, which medication individuals can get and which pharmacies are a part of their community. 

CVS pharmacy sign above entrance to store with people walking past

Pedestrians stroll previous a CVS Caremark Corp. retailer in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, April 30, 2013. CVS Caremark Corp. is scheduled to launch earnings information on Might 1. Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg through Getty Photos

Pharmaceutical giants have been important of PBMs, saying their position wants to alter. Eli Lilly beforehand instructed FOX Enterprise that the one method to decrease costs for U.S. customers is that if “intermediaries take less for themselves.” 

Gastroenterologist and weight problems medication specialist Dr. Christopher McGowan instructed FOX Enterprise that CVS Caremark’s determination to drop protection of the drug is “deeply disruptive for patients who are already stable and thriving on the medication.” 

RUNNING LOW ON OZEMPIC OR ANOTHER WEIGHT LOSS DRUG? A NEW TRACKER CAN HELP

“We’re now seeing insurance policy override medical judgment – forcing patients to switch to an alternative that, while still effective, has been shown in head-to-head trials to produce less weight loss than Zepbound,” McGowan mentioned. 

McGowan highlighted that GLP-1 drugs “are not interchangeable in practice, even if they appear similar on paper.” He mentioned switching drugs “mid-journey can reverse hard-won progress.”

“For many, this isn’t just a simple substitution. It’s a high-stakes change that can affect long-term outcomes, trigger weight regain, or introduce new side effects,” McGowan mentioned. 

This goes past CVS Caremark, in keeping with McGowan, who is worried that its determination with Zepbound “underscores a troubling trend” by which “financial contracts between benefit managers and drug manufacturers are increasingly shaping clinical decisions.” 

An Eli Lilly & Co. Zepbound injection

An Eli Lilly & Co. Zepbound injection pen organized within the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Thursday, March 28, 2024.  (Shelby Knowles/Bloomberg through Getty Photos / Getty Photos)

This implies sufferers with fewer decisions not due to what’s greatest for his or her well being, however due to behind-the-scenes rebate offers, he continued. 

“In obesity care, continuity matters. Once a patient finds a medication that works, preserving that success should be the priority,” he mentioned. “Instead, we’re seeing progress disrupted and patients forced to navigate treatment changes they never asked for.”

Eli Lilly instructed FOX Enterprise that the corporate is dedicated to making sure sufferers have entry to the therapy they want. 

“While not all CVS Caremark plans are impacted, we’ve made robust efforts to proactively communicate with many of the patients who may be affected and provided clear next steps through our support programs,” Lilly mentioned in a press release, including that the corporate is encouraging sufferers to talk with their healthcare suppliers about medical necessity exceptions or different protection pathways. It has additionally added assets on its web site. 

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

If prospects do lose protection, Eli Lilly mentioned it expanded entry by way of LillyDirect’s Self Pay Pharmacy Options, which is the corporate’s self-pay program, which removes some third-party provide chain entities, providing sufferers with out protection medication at a reduction. 

The pharmaceutical large mentioned a affected person that is prescribed Zepbound and wishes entry to it with out going by way of their medical health insurance can get single-dose vials for round $500.

TAGGED:CaremarkCoverageCVSdropsdrugLosspopularWeight
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Jennifer Aniston, hypnotist beau ‘cuddled’ throughout Massive Sur getaway: report Jennifer Aniston, hypnotist beau ‘cuddled’ throughout Massive Sur getaway: report
Next Article We Discovered the Greatest Offers Beneath 0 This Prime Day We Discovered the Greatest Offers Beneath $100 This Prime Day

Editor's Pick

Kirill Dmitriev’s Vision: The Russia-Alaska Tunnel as a Geostrategic Imperative

Kirill Dmitriev’s Vision: The Russia-Alaska Tunnel as a Geostrategic Imperative

Executive Summary: A Strategic Announcement In a landmark social media post dated October 16, Kirill Dmitriev, Chief Executive Officer of…

By Editorial Board 6 Min Read
The 2025 Denim Playbook: The Finest Denims and Manufacturers for Each Type | Fashion
The 2025 Denim Playbook: The Finest Denims and Manufacturers for Each Type | Fashion

We independently consider all advisable services. Any services or products put ahead…

6 Min Read
Ottawa’s culinary neighborhood mourns younger Inuk chef killed in stabbing
Ottawa’s culinary neighborhood mourns younger Inuk chef killed in stabbing

The final time Patrick Garland noticed Joshua Qiyuk, the younger chef was…

3 Min Read

Oponion

Disney’s Robert Iger Faces Troubled Animation Market

Disney’s Robert Iger Faces Troubled Animation Market

BusinessMedia & MarketingEntertainment giant’s latest release becomes its second straight…

November 27, 2022

Dave Coulier: I Could l Die from This Most cancers, And That is Okay

Dave Coulier is able to settle…

November 14, 2024

Harriette Cole: I simply came upon what my work-from-home assistant has been doing

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've an assistant who…

January 23, 2025

From Actress to Chef: How Chloe-Charlotte Crampton Discovered Her True Calling

We might obtain a portion of…

November 14, 2024

Box Lives to Fight Another Day

CEO Aaron Levie at Box’s 2019…

October 7, 2021

You Might Also Like

DoorDash unveils disaster plan as tens of millions face potential lack of SNAP advantages
Lifestyle

DoorDash unveils disaster plan as tens of millions face potential lack of SNAP advantages

Try what's clicking on FoxBusiness.com. As meals help advantages are set to run out this Saturday amid the continued authorities…

4 Min Read
Ford recollects 1.4M automobiles over rearview digital camera problem
Lifestyle

Ford recollects 1.4M automobiles over rearview digital camera problem

Take a look at what's clicking on FoxBusiness.com. Ford is recalling greater than 1.4 million automobiles because of points with…

4 Min Read
Tesla might lose Musk if T pay package deal is not authorised, board chair warns
Lifestyle

Tesla might lose Musk if $1T pay package deal is not authorised, board chair warns

Niles Funding Administration founder and portfolio Dan Niles discusses Tesla’s potential $1 trillion compensation plan for Elon Musk on ‘The…

4 Min Read
Costco points recall alert for wagon over youngster security danger
Lifestyle

Costco points recall alert for wagon over youngster security danger

Take a look at what's clicking on FoxBusiness.com. A preferred merchandise bought at Costco has been recalled attributable to a…

2 Min Read
The Wall Street Publication

About Us

The Wall Street Publication, a distinguished part of the Enspirers News Group, stands as a beacon of excellence in journalism. Committed to delivering unfiltered global news, we pride ourselves on our trusted coverage of Politics, Business, Technology, and more.

Company

  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement

Contact

  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability

Term of Use

  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices

© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?