As the FDA cracks down on compounded GLP-1 medications, manufacturer-direct programs have become increasingly relevant. Both Eli Lilly (Zepbound/Mounjaro) and Novo Nordisk (Wegovy/Ozempic) offer pathways to access their medications at reduced prices—sometimes significantly below what telehealth providers charge.
This guide explains how each program works, who qualifies, and how to navigate the process.
LillyDirect: Eli Lilly's Direct-to-Patient Platform
LillyDirect is Eli Lilly's response to access challenges. It connects patients directly with prescribers and pharmacies without traditional insurance intermediaries—essentially creating a vertically integrated cash-pay pathway.
How it works:
- Telehealth consultation: LillyDirect partners with independent telehealth providers who evaluate patients for Zepbound eligibility.
- Prescription issuance: If approved, the prescriber sends your prescription directly to partner pharmacies.
- Direct fulfillment: Medication ships to your door from Lilly-partnered pharmacies.
Pricing:
- Zepbound: Approximately $550/month for the single-dose vials
- This represents roughly 50% off the ~$1,060 list price
- Prices are fixed regardless of dose tier
Eligibility requirements:
- BMI ≥30 (obesity), or BMI ≥27 with weight-related comorbidity
- Must not have commercial insurance covering weight loss medications
- Must not be on Medicare, Medicaid, or other government insurance
- U.S. residents only
What LillyDirect is NOT: This isn't patient assistance for low-income individuals. It's a cash-pay alternative for people who have insurance that explicitly excludes obesity medications (which is most commercial plans) or who choose to pay cash.
Zepbound Savings Card
Separate from LillyDirect, Eli Lilly offers a savings card that can reduce costs for commercially insured patients:
If your insurance covers Zepbound: The savings card can reduce your copay to as low as $25/month.
If your insurance doesn't cover Zepbound: The savings card caps your out-of-pocket at approximately $550/month (similar to LillyDirect pricing).
Exclusions:
- Government insurance (Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Tricare)
- Cash-only patients without commercial insurance
- Patients whose pharmacies don't accept the card
NovoCare: Novo Nordisk's Support Programs
Novo Nordisk takes a different approach with NovoCare—an umbrella of support programs rather than a direct-to-patient platform.
Wegovy Savings Card:
- For commercially insured patients
- Can reduce copays to as low as $0-25/month if insurance covers Wegovy
- If insurance doesn't cover: Some discount off cash price, but less aggressive than Lilly's approach
Patient Assistance Program (PAP):
- For uninsured or underinsured patients meeting income requirements
- May provide Wegovy at no cost or significantly reduced cost
- Requires application with income documentation
- Generally requires household income ≤400% of Federal Poverty Level
The key difference: Novo Nordisk's programs are more fragmented than LillyDirect. There's no single "Novo Direct" platform. You navigate separate savings cards, assistance programs, and specialty pharmacies—which requires more patient effort.
Oral Wegovy: The January 2026 Development
The FDA approved oral semaglutide for weight management in December 2025, with commercial launch in early January 2026. This changes the access landscape significantly:
Oral Wegovy pricing:
- List price: Approximately $149/month (dramatically lower than injectable)
- With insurance copay cards: Potentially $25/month
The 30-minute rule: Oral Wegovy must be taken on an empty stomach with only a sip of water, followed by 30 minutes of fasting before eating. This is the same requirement as Rybelsus (oral semaglutide for diabetes) and represents a meaningful inconvenience for some patients.
Efficacy comparison: Clinical trials showed oral Wegovy achieved comparable weight loss to injectable—approximately 13.6-16.6% at 64-68 weeks. The non-inferiority is genuine.
For patients who prefer pills over injections or who find the lower price point compelling, oral Wegovy represents a significant new option.
How These Compare to Telehealth Providers
LillyDirect vs. Telehealth Compounding:
- LillyDirect: ~$550/month for FDA-approved Zepbound
- Budget telehealth compounding: ~$200-350/month for compounded tirzepatide
- Price difference: $200-350/month in favor of compounding
What you get for the premium:
- FDA-approved, manufacturer-produced medication
- Guaranteed potency and sterility
- No regulatory risk from compounding enforcement
- Full manufacturer liability if something goes wrong
The calculation: Is $200-350/month worth the certainty of FDA-approved products? For some patients, absolutely. For others, the compounding price advantage justifies the (likely small) quality risk.
TrumpRx: The Third Option
The "TrumpRx" initiative launched in late 2025 as a government-supported pathway to reduce GLP-1 costs. Details remain evolving, but the program aims to provide brand-name access at $346-350/month.
This would price brand-name medications competitively with compounding while maintaining FDA approval status. Monitor developments if cost is a primary concern—this could fundamentally shift the value equation.
The Application Process
For LillyDirect:
- Visit LillyDirect.com and complete health assessment
- Schedule telehealth consultation with partner provider
- If approved, prescription routes to partner pharmacy
- Medication ships within 3-5 business days
For Zepbound Savings Card:
- Visit Zepbound.com and register for savings program
- Download or print savings card
- Present card when filling prescription at pharmacy
- Discount applies automatically if eligible
For NovoCare programs:
- Visit NovoCare.com and identify applicable program
- For savings card: Register and download immediately
- For PAP: Complete application with income documentation (2-4 weeks processing)
- Present card or approval letter at pharmacy
Who Should Use Manufacturer Programs
Ideal candidates:
- Patients whose insurance explicitly excludes obesity medications (most common scenario)
- Patients uncomfortable with compounding quality uncertainty
- Patients who value manufacturer liability protection
- Low-income patients who may qualify for PAP (NovoCare)
Less ideal candidates:
- Medicare/Medicaid patients (excluded from savings programs)
- Highly price-sensitive patients willing to use compounding
- Patients wanting integrated services (TRT + GLP-1) from single provider
The Bottom Line
Manufacturer programs close the gap between compounding and brand-name pricing. At $550/month for LillyDirect Zepbound—compared to $200-350/month for compounded alternatives—the premium for FDA-approved certainty is $200-350/month.
For many patients, that premium buys meaningful peace of mind. For budget-constrained patients, compounding remains financially compelling despite regulatory uncertainty.
With oral Wegovy launching at $149/month, the landscape shifts further. An FDA-approved oral option at that price point may make compounding's value proposition harder to justify for patients who can tolerate the 30-minute fasting requirement.
Know your options. Make an informed choice.