Lilly’s new Medicare program expands access to obesity drugs as analysts project the global GLP-1 market could reach $130 billion by 2030.
Indianapolis- Eli Lilly is expanding access to its obesity medicines through a new Medicare program, a move that could strengthen its position in one of the fastest-growing and most lucrative segments of the global pharmaceutical industry.
Beginning July 1, eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries will be able to obtain Lilly’s obesity medications Foundayo (orforglipron) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) for $50 per month under the company’s new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, provided they meet clinical eligibility requirements established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
The initiative comes as demand for GLP-1 therapies continues to reshape the pharmaceutical industry. Goldman Sachs estimates the global obesity drug market could generate approximately $130 billion in annual sales by 2030, driven by rising demand for treatments such as Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy. Reuters has also reported similar market projections, citing growing adoption of these medications worldwide.
The rapid expansion has transformed the competitive landscape. Demand for GLP-1 medicines helped propel Eli Lilly to become the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical company by market capitalization, while Novo Nordisk’s obesity portfolio has fueled years of record growth.
Lilly estimates that approximately 20 million Medicare beneficiaries could meet the clinical criteria for obesity treatment, representing a significant commercial opportunity as the company expands reimbursement options for older adults, a population that has historically faced limited insurance coverage for anti-obesity medications.
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program will run through Dec. 31, 2027, covering Lilly’s newly approved oral therapy, Foundayo, as well as Zepbound, its injectable treatment for chronic weight management.
The initiative also reflects a broader industry shift toward expanding insurance coverage rather than relying primarily on cash-paying patients. Analysts view broader reimbursement as critical to sustaining long-term market growth as manufacturers compete for market share in the rapidly expanding obesity treatment sector.
