Eli Lilly announced that its GLP-1 weight-loss pill is available for purchase in the United States starting Thursday, little more than a week after the Food and Drug Administration approved it.
The Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical company said orforglipron, which goes by the brand name Foundayo, would be available for purchase for $149 per month at the lowest dose for self-pay patients. Those with insurance will pay as little as $25 per month.
Starting July 1, those on Medicare Part D could could the medication for $50 per month.
The FDA approved Foundayo for weight loss on April 1. It was the second GLP-1 drug in pill form approved by the agency. Until now, the drug had been approved only as a weekly injection.
“Foundayo delivers meaningful weight loss — an average of 27pounds at the highest dose — and we made the path from prescription to doorstep as simple as possible,” said Ilya Yuffa, executive vice president and president of Lilly USA.
“Millions of Americans can now connect with a healthcare professional to determine if Foundayo is right for them and receive the medicine at their door through LillyDirect’s free home delivery, or access it through telehealth providers or local retail pharmacies.”
Foundayo joins Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill as the only two oral GLP-1 medications to have FDA approval. Eli Lilly also manufactures the injectable Zepound and Mounjaro GLP-1 medications and Novo Nordisk makes Wegovy and Ozempic.
Eli Lilly said Foundayo differs from the Wegovy pill in that there are no restrictions on when the pill can be taken. The Wegovy pill must be taken in the morning 30 minutes before eating or drinking.
Clinical trials of Foundayo released in September found that people on a 36 mg dose of the drug lost an average of 11% of their body weight, 8% on 12 mg and less than 8% on 6 mg. About 55% of patients in the 36 mg dose group lost 10% or more of their body weight; 36% had a reduction of 15% or more; and 18% had a reduction of 20% or more.
