Obesity Medication Pricing: A Comparison with Wegovy and Zepbound

Eli Lilly's obesity pills priced near Wegovy and Zepbound, as seen by Wall Street. The pharmaceutical company's net sales are primarily driven by endocrinology (65.5%), with a significant portion coming from the US (67.4%).

Eli Lilly (LLY) has been making strategic pricing adjustments to its weight-loss injectable, Zepbound, in response to President Trump's push for normalized pricing in peer developed nations. The company raised the price of Zepbound in the UK, with plans to follow suit in other European countries, under the Most Favored Nations (MFN) pricing model [1].

The move comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to address high drug prices in the U.S. by encouraging pharmaceutical companies to share costs more equitably across developed nations. This strategy has been met with mixed reactions, with some analysts questioning the practical impact on U.S. pricing [1].

Eli Lilly has also been expanding its presence in the obesity treatment market. In South Africa, the company launched Mounjaro, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, in August 2023, positioning itself to compete with Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, which was launched in the country eight months earlier [2]. This move highlights Lilly's ambition to grow its market share in emerging markets, where obesity rates are high and treatment options are limited.

In India, Lilly has launched Mounjaro KwikPen, a once-weekly treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity, across the country. The drug is available in various dose strengths, allowing healthcare professionals to personalize treatment plans [3]. This expansion underscores Lilly's commitment to making its obesity treatments more accessible and convenient for patients.

Eli Lilly's financial performance in Q2 2025 reflected the company's strong position in the GLP-1 market. Revenue surged 38% year-over-year to $15.56 billion, driven primarily by Mounjaro and Zepbound. The company's gross margin reached 84.3%, and full-year revenue guidance was raised to $60-62 billion [4]. These results demonstrate Lilly's ability to capture market share and generate significant revenue from its obesity and diabetes therapies.

As Lilly continues to innovate and expand its product portfolio, investors should closely monitor the company's pricing strategy and market penetration efforts. The obesity and diabetes therapies market is projected to grow significantly, with oral GLP-1s expected to capture a growing share [4]. Lilly's focus on convenience and accessibility, particularly through its oral therapies like orforglipron, positions it well to capitalize on this market opportunity.

References:
[1] https://www.aol.com/finance/eli-lilly-raising-glp-1-191601416.html
[2] https://medicaldialogues.in/news/industry/pharma/novo-nordisk-launches-wegovy-in-south-africa-ramping-up-obesity-drug-battle-with-eli-lilly-153465
[3] https://www.biospectrumindia.com/news/16/26538/eli-lilly-launches-mounjaro-kwikpen-to-advance-care-for-adults-with-type-2-diabetes-and-obesity-in-india.html
[4] https://www.ainvest.com/news/eli-lilly-q2-2025-outperformance-orforglipron-pipeline-era-obesity-diabetes-therapies-2508/