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CVS Health is once again including Zepbound as a covered medication.
CVS Caremark will reinstate Zepbound as a preferred drug starting October 1, 2026.
KEY POINTS
CVS is removing its new-to-market block on Foundayo, Eli Lilly's oral GLP-1, effective Monday.
Negotiations with pharmaceutical companies have led CVS to offer GLP-1 drugs at more affordable prices.
Plan sponsors can still customize GLP-1 drug coverage according to their own health plans.
By Jason Chau
CVS Health is once again including Zepbound as a covered medication, after removing Eli Lilly's weight-loss drug in favor of more favorable pricing for Novo Nordisk's Wegovy last year.
CVS Caremark, the healthcare conglomerate's pharmacy-benefits management business, said in a statement Thursday that Zepbound will rejoin its list of preferred drugs from Oct. 1 to improve customer access to weight-loss drugs at a more affordable price. The CVS unit works with health-insurance sponsors to manage prescription-drug benefits on their behalf.
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy have exploded in popularity in recent years, becoming major growth drivers for these drugmakers. However, their high prices remain out of reach for many consumers.
"Collaboration with pharmaceutical companies is helping to make this in-demand drug class more accessible," CVS said, adding that negotiations have led to increased affordability and increased access to GLP-1s.
CVS also said that it would remove its new-to-market block on Foundayo, Eli Lilly's new oral GLP-1 treatment, effective Monday.
Plan sponsors have the flexibility to customize coverage for their members, said CVS, which regularly evaluates its list of prescription medications available under health plans.
Write to Jason Chau at [email protected]
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
05-28-26 0659ET