Nicholas Jacobus

Lilly’s collaboration with the Trump Administration includes offering Medicare members access to Zepbound and Orforglipron for a monthly price of $50.

Eli Lilly and Company have announced a collaborative effort with the Trump administration to improve access to the company’s GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Zepbound (tirzepatide) and orforglipron. The announcement comes just over a week after Lilly reached 

 that launches the first retail pick-up option offering direct-to-consumer pricing of Zepbound.

The agreement builds on Lilly’s previous partnership with the government announced in 2022, creating a pilot program for Lilly to become the first company to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 per month.

The Trump Administration and Lilly’s agreement expand Lilly’s patient access to 40 million Americans who are living with obesity on government programs, and millions of other patients who pay for medications out-of-pocket.

LillyDirect Platform to Help Provide Alzeheimer’s Support

Lilly Introduces Single-Dose Vials of Zepbound, Expanding Access for Adults with Obesity

Lilly’s CEO releases statement in regard to the agreement with the Trump administration

"Today marks a pivotal moment in U.S. health care policy and a defining milestone for Lilly, made possible through collaboration with the Trump Administration,” said David A. Ricks, Lilly chair and CEO, in a press release. “As we expand access to obesity treatments for more Americans and advance one of the most innovative obesity pipelines, we remain focused on improving outcomes, strengthening the U.S. healthcare system, and contributing to the health of our nation for generations to come.

"This agreement adds to our established commitment to affordability—from being the first company to cap insulin prices at $35 to launching LillyDirect, the end-to-end digital healthcare experience."

What are the details of Lilly’s agreement with the Trump Administration?

Beginning as early as April 1, 2026, both Zepbound and orforglipron will be offered to Medicare beneficiaries for $50 per month, if approved by the FDA.Further, states will be able to expand access to Zepbound and orforglipron through Medicaid.

Lilly has already submitted orforglipron for the Commissioner's 

 in an effort to potentially accelerate the FDA’s review process.

Following the FDA’s approval, self-paying patients with obesity will be able to access these medicines through LillyDirect's self-pay pharmacy channel. Zepbound multi-dose pen will be available at the lowest dose for $299, with additional doses up to $449, offering a $50 discount to current direct-to-patient prices and priced similar to European costs.

Lilly is also offering Zepbound multi-dose pen prescription refills for $449 on its LillyDirect digital platform, along with orforglipron, with its lowest dose starting at $149 and additional doses up to $399.

 Emgality, Trulicity, and Mounjaro are also expected to be made available for self-pay patients on LillyDirect at a 50%-60% discount off their current list prices.

Per the terms of the agreement, Lilly is set to receive up to three years of tariff relief, along with avoiding future pricing mandates.

"The U.S. health care system has evolved in a way that's unfair to American patients and taxpayers who disproportionately pay a higher share of the costs for developing breakthrough medicines compared to other countries," Ricks added. "Lilly is in a unique position to work with the U.S. government to rebalance the global system, expand access and lower costs for Americans while also protecting our company's ability to both innovate and enhance manufacturing capacity to meet the significant demand for our life-saving medicines."

Lilly and U.S. government agree to expand access to obesity medicines to millions of Americans 

https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lilly-and-us-government-agree-expand-access-obesity-medicines

Articles

Eli Lilly and Company, in collaboration with the Trump administration, aims to enhance access to GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Zepbound and orforglipron, for millions of Americans. This initiative follows a partnership with Walmart Pharmacy to offer direct-to-consumer pricing for Zepbound. The agreement will allow Medicare beneficiaries to access these medications at reduced costs, pending FDA approval, and expand Medicaid access. LillyDirect will offer discounted pricing for self-paying patients. The agreement also provides Lilly with tariff relief and protection from future pricing mandates.

Lilly announced a new agreement with the Trump administration to expand access to its GLP-1 therapies, including Zepbound and orforglipron, offering the drugs to Medicare beneficiaries for $50 per month and through Medicaid programs starting in 2026.

Lilly Agreement With Trump Administration Reshapes Patient Access to GLP-1 Obesity Medicines  

The addition helps expand the company’s access to patients.
Stock.Adobe.com 

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company revealed Starjemza will be joining the company’s portfolio of medications, representing a key milestone in Cost Plus Drugs growth while also expanding access for patients to specialty medicines.

"The addition of Starjemza® reflects the strength of our partnerships and the steady progress of our mission," said Alan Bowe, chief commercial officer of Cost Plus Drugs. "We remain focused on expanding access across all therapeutic categories and proving that transparency and value can exist together in a sustainable way. This is not a single disruption but part of an ongoing shift toward a healthcare system that works for everyone."

Why did Cost Plus Drugs add Starjemza to its portfolio?

Starjemza, a new biosimilar medication used to treat chronic inflammatory conditions, is part of Cost Plus Drugs’ mission to challenge traditional economics for specialty medications and deliver understandable pricing to patients.

Specialty medications are typically amongst the most expensive medications in the US, accounting for a signification amount of the national drug spending, and just a small percentage of total prescriptions.

By adding a special medication therapy like Starjemza to its portfolio, Cost Plus Drugs will apply its transparent cost-plus pricing model to the medicine in attempts to increase availability and access at a discounted cost compared to market price.

Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs employs its cost-plus pricing model, a pricing modality clearly displaying each cost component.

Each medication offered through the platform is priced in accordance with the medicines acquisition cost, along with a modest fixed markup and pharmacy fee.

 As part of the cost plus pricing model, Starjemza is set to be listed at a starting price of $345 per quarter, plus shipping, for the 90 mg/mL pre-filled syringe, with additional configurations, including the 45 mg/mL and 130 mg/mL pre-filled syringes, will also be offered and priced in accordance with the company's transparent cost-plus model.

"Our goal has always been to make sure that no one is priced out of the medication they need," said Mark Cuban, co-founder of Cost Plus Drugs. "Starjemza is another example of how transparency and fair pricing can make a real difference for people who have been paying inflated costs for far too long. We are building a model that prioritizes access, honesty and trust."

Cost Plus Drugs Partnership with Medchat.ai

Along with expanding its special medications portfolio, Cost Plus Drugs is also expanding its customer support, as the company recently announced its partnership with Medchat.ai, enhancing customer support and accelerating patient access to safe and affordable medications.

 The collaboration brings Cost Plus Drugs AI customer care agents, delivering fast and personalized support to patients. 

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Medchat•ai in our mission to make prescription drugs more accessible and affordable for consumers," said Dr. Alex Oshmyansky, co-founder and CEO of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs. "At Cost Plus Drugs, our commitment to transparent drug pricing has always been at the core of everything we do, and with partners like Medchat•ai, we are now able to bring a level of support to consumers that matches our mission."

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company Expands Access with Addition of Starjemza® (ustekinumab-hmny) to Give Patients More Power Over Prescription Costs 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mark-cuban-cost-plus-drug-company-expands-access-with-addition-of-starjemza-ustekinumab-hmny-to-give-patients-more-power-over-prescription-costs-302606318.html

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs and Medchat•ai Deploy AI to Scale Affordable Medication Access 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mark-cuban-cost-plus-drugs-and-medchatai-deploy-ai-to-scale-affordable-medication-access-302596860.html

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company has added Starjemza, a biosimilar for chronic inflammatory conditions, to its portfolio, aiming to enhance access to specialty medications through its transparent cost-plus pricing model. This model includes acquisition cost, a fixed markup, and a pharmacy fee, offering Starjemza at a starting price of $345 per quarter. Additionally, Cost Plus Drugs has partnered with Medchat.ai to improve customer support, utilizing AI to provide personalized assistance. These initiatives reflect the company's commitment to affordable, transparent, and accessible healthcare solutions.

The addition of Starjemza reinforces Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs' effort to expand access to affordable specialty medicines through its transparent cost-plus pricing model, while also enhancing patient support via a new partnership with Medchat.ai.

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company Adds Starjemza to Prescription Drug Portfolio 

The investment plan is expected to continue through 2030 and aims to bolster Cencora’s supply chain.

Cencora announced plans to invest upwards of $1 billion towards expanding, strengthening, and modernizing its US-based distribution network through 2030.

The company’s investment plans include opening a second national distribution center located in Ohio, along with expanding its presence in both Alabama and California to increase capacity, improve efficiency, and enhance resilience of its national distribution network.

“Healthcare providers rely on us to provide efficient access to the medications their patients need, and we’re able to deliver on that promise because of the robust distribution infrastructure and operations we’ve built through decades of investment,” said Bob Mauch, president & CEO of Cencora. “This investment underscores our commitment to and role in building a resilient pharmaceutical supply chain and in ensuring patients across the United States have timely and reliable access to prescribed medications, where and when they need them.”

Cencora’s plans for a second national distribution center and west coast expansion

With more than 30 distribution centers spanning across 20 states and Puerto Rico, Cencora’s investment plans aim to expand upon its distribution capabilities by opening a second national distribution center in Harrison, Ohio. The 530,000 square-foot facility is expected to significantly increase Cencora’s storage capacity and throughput, along with enhancing its ability to meet growing demands from its 40,000 healthcare provider customers.

 Plans for the center include advanced automation technology, such as robotic handling systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and autonomous mobile robots, aiming to increase the efficiency and reliability of supply chain processes.

The facility is expected to be complete and fully operation by Spring 2027.

Cencora is also planning a new distribution center in Fontana, California, which is expected to be complete by fall 2026.

According to a press release from Cencora, the new, highly automated wholesale center is almost double the size of Cencora’s current facility located in Corona, measuring 430,000 square-foot, the new facility will expand the company’s presence and capacity on the West Coast.

Included in Cencora’s $1 billion investment is plans for expanding its specialty medicines distribution center in Dothan, Alabama, just one of three distribution centers dedicated to storing and distributing specialty pharmaceuticals.

The expansion is expected to be completed by fall 2026, and once complete, the 122,500 square-foot expansion will be one and a half times larger than its existing distribution center. This will also increase the facility’s refrigerated storage capacity upwards of 500%, along with improving frozen storage capacity by 200%, enhancing Cencora’s ability to handle and store complex specialty medications.

“We’re committed to delivering an industry-leading customer experience, and that starts with listening to our customers, anticipating their needs and making strategic investments to ensure we can provide the exceptional service they expect,” said Rich Tremonte, executive vice president and president, U.S. pharmaceuticals and animal health at Cencora. “As demand continues to grow and more specialty pharmaceuticals reach the market, the investments we’re making today will strengthen our ability to support our customers’ current and future needs, enabling them to continue delivering high-quality patient care in their communities.”

Cencora Announces $1 Billion Investment to Strengthen its U.S. Distribution Network 

https://www.cencora.com/newsroom/cencora-to-invest-1-billion-in-us-distribution-network

Cencora is set to invest over $1 billion by 2030 to enhance its US distribution network, focusing on expanding capacity, efficiency, and resilience. Key initiatives include a second national distribution center in Ohio and a new facility in California, both featuring advanced automation technologies. The investment also targets expanding the specialty medicines distribution center in Alabama, significantly increasing refrigerated and frozen storage capacities. These strategic moves aim to ensure timely and reliable medication access for healthcare providers and patients, reinforcing Cencora's commitment to a robust pharmaceutical supply chain.

Cencora's investment includes new automated centers in Ohio and California and a major cold chain expansion in Alabama to enhance capacity, efficiency, and supply chain resilience.

Cencora Reveals $1 Billion Investment Plan Enhancing US-Based Distribution Network 

The facility aims to boost Lilly’s oral medicine manufacturing capabilities in Europe.
Stock.Adobe.com 

Eli Lilly and Company announced its plan to construct a new $3 billion manufacturing facility located in Leiden Bio Science Park, Katwijk, the Netherlands.

The new facility is expected to bolster Lilly’s manufacturing capacity in Europe, while also strengthening its global supply chain.

"With extensive investments already underway in the U.S., our planned expansion in Europe further strengthens our ability to deliver medicines to patients worldwide. Localized manufacturing ensures we can quickly respond to meet regional demand and accelerate distribution within Europe," said David A. Ricks, Lilly chair and CEO. "Leiden Bio Science Park offers access to a skilled workforce, reliable infrastructure and proven pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities. We look forward to working closely with the EU, national and local governments to create a more favorable and predictable policy environment open to fully harnessing innovative medicines to deliver faster access to patients."

What will Lilly’s new manufacturing facility offer?

According to a press release from Lilly, the facility is integrated with advanced manufacturing technologies to help meet the needs of Lilly’s portfolio, including oral solid medicines in cardiometabolic health, neuroscience, oncology, and immunology. The facility will also include dock-to-dock automation and material flow, analytical technology processing, spray-dried dispersion (which allows oral medicines to be effectively absorbed), and paperless manufacturing.

This new facility will also be one of the few manufacturing sites worldwide to manufacture orforglipron, Lilly's first oral, small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, which is expected to be submitted to global regulatory agencies for obesity by the end of this year.

Along with its manufacturing capabilities, the new site is also set to generate upwards of 500 high-wage jobs, including scientists, operations personal, lab technicians, and experienced engineers.

Additionally, the new facility is also estimated to create 1500 construction jobs once building is underway, which is expected to begin next year, and is contingent upon Lilly’s finalization of government permits and local approvals.

"I'm truly proud that Lilly has chosen the Netherlands, Katwijk and the Leiden Bio Science Park after considering many locations across Europe," said Vincent Karremans, minister of economic affairs of the Netherlands. "The arrival of Lilly will not only bring new jobs and investments but also boost collaboration in the field of innovative medicines, helping us work together on solutions that truly improve people's health and lives."

Lilly’s continued investments into manufacturing

The announcement of Lilly’s manufacturing site in the Netherlands shortly follows the company’s announcement of investments in its 

Lilly del Caribe manufacturing site in Carolina, Puerto Rico

, including integration of advanced technologies and enhanced production capabilities.

Similar to the site in the Netherlands, the manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico is one of the few selected to manufacture orforglipron.

Along with the company’s investment plans in Puerto Rico, Lilly also announced plans to build a 

 in its India-based manufacturing site, and a 

 in constructing a new manufacturing site in Houston, Texas.

"At Lilly, we are investing in next-generation manufacturing facilities around the world to ensure our medicines are made and distributed closer to the communities and patients we serve. Expanding our capabilities in Europe strengthens our global supply chain and reflects our commitment to getting innovative treatments to patients who need them," said Edgardo Hernandez, executive vice president and president of Lilly manufacturing operations. "Additionally, with each new facility we are building, we find ways to continue to minimize our environmental footprint – assuring carbon neutrality in our operations and generating zero waste to landfills."

Lilly plans to build a new $3 billion facility to boost oral medicine manufacturing capacity in Europe for patients worldwide 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lilly-plans-to-build-a-new-3-billion-facility-to-boost-oral-medicine-manufacturing-capacity-in-europe-for-patients-worldwide-302600462.html

Eli Lilly and Company is set to construct a $3 billion manufacturing facility in Leiden Bio Science Park, Netherlands, enhancing its European manufacturing capacity and global supply chain. The facility will incorporate advanced technologies for producing oral solid medicines across various therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic health and oncology. It will also manufacture orforglipron, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. The site is expected to create 500 high-wage jobs and 1500 construction jobs. This expansion aligns with Lilly's global investment strategy, including projects in Puerto Rico, Virginia, India, and Texas.

Eli Lilly invests $3 billion in a new European manufacturing facility, enhancing production capacity and creating jobs while ensuring faster access to innovative medicines.