Eli Lilly CEO Criticizes PBM 'Rent-Seeking', Claims They Increased Insulin List Prices to $275: 'We Can Easily Bypass Them'
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Nov 12 2025
0mins
Should l Buy LLY?
Source: Benzinga
Critique of Pharmacy Benefit Managers: Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks criticized pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for inflating insulin prices, claiming they profit from the difference between high list prices and low net prices, which harms uninsured patients.
Response to Price Inflation: Ricks noted that despite Lilly's efforts to introduce a low-cost insulin option, PBMs resisted these changes, prompting the company to create LillyDirect, a direct-to-consumer platform to bypass the PBM system.
Industry Support Against PBMs: Ricks' views align with those of industry disruptors like Mark Cuban, who also condemned PBMs for their role in escalating healthcare costs, indicating a growing challenge to the PBM business model.
Eli Lilly's Stock Performance: Following these developments, Eli Lilly's stock has shown positive performance, closing higher and reflecting a strong price trend over the year, despite a poor value ranking.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy LLY?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on LLY
Wall Street analysts forecast LLY stock price to rise
20 Analyst Rating
18 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 1003.570
Low
950.00
Averages
1192
High
1500
Current: 1003.570
Low
950.00
Averages
1192
High
1500
About LLY
Eli Lilly and Company is a medicine company, which discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells pharmaceutical products worldwide. Its cardiometabolic health products include Basaglar; Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, and others; Humulin, Humulin 70/30, and others; Jardiance; Mounjaro; Trulicity; Zepbound; VERVE-102; VERVE-201, and VERVE-301. Its oncology products include Cyramza, Erbitux, Tyvyt, and Verzenio. Its immunology products include Ebglyss, Olumiant, Omvoh, and Taltz. Its neuroscience products include Emgality and Kisunla. The Company is also engaged in radiopharmaceutical discovery, development, and manufacturing efforts, and clinical and pre-clinical radioligand therapies in development for the treatment of cancer. It is also developing an oral small molecule inhibitor of a4b7 integrin for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is evaluating its novel gene therapy candidate, ixoberogene soroparvovec.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Eli Lilly Launches Zepbound® KwikPen® to Enhance Obesity Treatment Access
- Platform Launch: Eli Lilly has introduced the Employer Connect platform, aimed at collaborating with independent program administrators to provide flexible obesity management medication solutions, thereby improving access for over 100 million American adults and potentially enhancing healthcare coverage for obesity patients significantly.
- Cost Reduction: The Zepbound® KwikPen® is priced at $449, and with flexible cost-sharing options, employers can offer more affordable obesity treatment to employees, which is expected to improve treatment adherence and overall health outcomes among the workforce.
- Clinical Trial Results: In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults taking Zepbound 15mg lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight over 72 weeks, compared to just 3.1% in the placebo group, demonstrating the drug's significant efficacy in obesity management, which could drive its widespread adoption in the market.
- Strong Market Demand: Zepbound was the most prescribed weight management medication in the U.S. in 2025, and with FDA approval, it is expected to further increase its market share in obesity treatment, addressing the growing patient demand effectively.
See More
Eli Lilly Launches Employer Connect Platform for Obesity Therapy Access
- Platform Launch: Eli Lilly announced the launch of the Employer Connect platform, enabling employees to access its obesity therapy Zepbound at a lower cost, marking an innovative step in employee health management.
- Collaborative Network: The platform will connect with over 15 independent program administrators, including Teladoc and GoodRx, as well as pharmacies like HealthDyne and CenterWell, enhancing drug accessibility and potentially increasing market penetration.
- Pricing Strategy: Zepbound will be sold in a single-patient delivery device called KwikPen at a discounted price of $449 per dose, with final costs varying based on pharmacy and program administrator choices, which may impact employer cost control.
- Strategic Implications: By breaking down barriers associated with traditional benefit designs, Eli Lilly aims to lower treatment obstacles and provide employers with greater control over employee access to obesity care, further solidifying its leadership position in the GLP-1 drug market.
See More
Eli Lilly Launches Employer Connect Platform to Enhance Obesity Treatment Access
- Platform Launch: Eli Lilly's newly introduced Employer Connect platform aims to enhance access to obesity management treatments for employees, particularly as insurance coverage remains inconsistent for over 100 million American adults affected by obesity.
- Addressing Coverage Gaps: The platform connects employers to independent program administrators and cost-sharing solutions, enabling employees to access prescribed treatments at reduced out-of-pocket costs, thereby alleviating financial barriers for obesity patients.
- Partner Network: The platform launches with over 15 independent administrators and a nationwide pharmacy network, including Teladoc Health and GoodRx, ensuring that Lilly's obesity medication Zepbound KwikPen is available at a discounted price of $449 through network pharmacies.
- Drug Indications: Zepbound is approved for adults with obesity and overweight adults with at least one weight-related medical condition, as well as certain patients with obstructive sleep apnea, highlighting Lilly's strategic positioning in the obesity treatment market.
See More
Eli Lilly Launches New Platform to Improve Access to Obesity Medications
- Solution for Obesity: Eli Lilly's launch of the Employer Connect platform targets the approximately half of commercially insured American employees lacking access to obesity medications, addressing an economic burden exceeding $1.7 trillion annually due to obesity-related costs.
- Platform Partnerships: The platform collaborates with over 15 independent program administrators, including pharmacies like HealthDyne and CenterWell, ensuring nationwide drug availability and enhancing employee access to medications.
- Zepbound Pricing Strategy: Lilly's Zepbound KwikPen is priced at $449 across all doses, although final costs for employers and employees will vary based on the chosen administrator and cost-sharing model, potentially lowering out-of-pocket expenses for employees.
- Clinical Trial Demand Support: In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults using Zepbound lost an average of 20.9% of body weight over 72 weeks compared to just 3.1% for the placebo group, demonstrating the drug's effectiveness in obesity management and further driving market demand.
See More
Eli Lilly Launches New Program to Enhance Obesity Drug Coverage
- Program Launch: Eli Lilly has introduced the 'Employer Connect' platform aimed at helping more employers cover obesity drugs, addressing a major barrier to patient access and expected to enhance employee drug accessibility.
- Price Transparency: Through this platform, employers can purchase a multi-dose form of Zepbound at a net discounted price of $449 per month, avoiding traditional rebate models, thereby providing clearer visibility on drug pricing for employers.
- Flexible Benefits Design: Employers can choose from 15 different third-party administrators to design benefits tailored to their budget and workforce needs, offering comprehensive obesity management services including telehealth, nutrition, and lifestyle support.
- Government Insurance Coverage: Under landmark deals with President Trump, Medicare will cover obesity drugs for the first time, which is expected to further expand drug accessibility and benefit more patients.
See More
Eli Lilly Launches Zepbound® KwikPen® to Enhance Obesity Treatment Access
- Platform Launch: Eli Lilly has introduced the Employer Connect platform to collaborate with independent program administrators, providing flexible obesity management medication solutions aimed at helping over 100 million obese adults in the U.S., which is expected to significantly improve employee health and productivity.
- Cost Reduction: The Zepbound® KwikPen® is priced at $449, with cost-sharing options available through the Employer Connect platform, substantially lowering out-of-pocket expenses for employees and enhancing accessibility to obesity treatment while aligning with employer budgets.
- Expanded Coverage: The platform collaborates with over 15 independent program administrators, offering nationwide pharmacy support that allows employers to design personalized obesity management programs tailored to their needs, thereby increasing employer control and flexibility in employee health management.
- Significant Clinical Outcomes: In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults taking Zepbound 15mg lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight over 72 weeks, compared to just 3.1% in the placebo group, demonstrating the drug's strong efficacy in obesity management and further driving market demand.
See More
Eli Lilly Launches Zepbound® KwikPen® to Enhance Obesity Treatment Access
- Platform Launch: Eli Lilly has introduced the Employer Connect platform, aimed at collaborating with independent program administrators to provide flexible obesity management medication solutions, thereby improving access for over 100 million American adults and potentially enhancing healthcare coverage for obesity patients significantly.
- Cost Reduction: The Zepbound® KwikPen® is priced at $449, and with flexible cost-sharing options, employers can offer more affordable obesity treatment to employees, which is expected to improve treatment adherence and overall health outcomes among the workforce.
- Clinical Trial Results: In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults taking Zepbound 15mg lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight over 72 weeks, compared to just 3.1% in the placebo group, demonstrating the drug's significant efficacy in obesity management, which could drive its widespread adoption in the market.
- Strong Market Demand: Zepbound was the most prescribed weight management medication in the U.S. in 2025, and with FDA approval, it is expected to further increase its market share in obesity treatment, addressing the growing patient demand effectively.
See More
Eli Lilly Launches Employer Connect Platform for Obesity Therapy Access
- Platform Launch: Eli Lilly announced the launch of the Employer Connect platform, enabling employees to access its obesity therapy Zepbound at a lower cost, marking an innovative step in employee health management.
- Collaborative Network: The platform will connect with over 15 independent program administrators, including Teladoc and GoodRx, as well as pharmacies like HealthDyne and CenterWell, enhancing drug accessibility and potentially increasing market penetration.
- Pricing Strategy: Zepbound will be sold in a single-patient delivery device called KwikPen at a discounted price of $449 per dose, with final costs varying based on pharmacy and program administrator choices, which may impact employer cost control.
- Strategic Implications: By breaking down barriers associated with traditional benefit designs, Eli Lilly aims to lower treatment obstacles and provide employers with greater control over employee access to obesity care, further solidifying its leadership position in the GLP-1 drug market.
See More
Eli Lilly Launches Employer Connect Platform to Enhance Obesity Treatment Access
- Platform Launch: Eli Lilly's newly introduced Employer Connect platform aims to enhance access to obesity management treatments for employees, particularly as insurance coverage remains inconsistent for over 100 million American adults affected by obesity.
- Addressing Coverage Gaps: The platform connects employers to independent program administrators and cost-sharing solutions, enabling employees to access prescribed treatments at reduced out-of-pocket costs, thereby alleviating financial barriers for obesity patients.
- Partner Network: The platform launches with over 15 independent administrators and a nationwide pharmacy network, including Teladoc Health and GoodRx, ensuring that Lilly's obesity medication Zepbound KwikPen is available at a discounted price of $449 through network pharmacies.
- Drug Indications: Zepbound is approved for adults with obesity and overweight adults with at least one weight-related medical condition, as well as certain patients with obstructive sleep apnea, highlighting Lilly's strategic positioning in the obesity treatment market.
See More
Eli Lilly Launches New Platform to Improve Access to Obesity Medications
- Solution for Obesity: Eli Lilly's launch of the Employer Connect platform targets the approximately half of commercially insured American employees lacking access to obesity medications, addressing an economic burden exceeding $1.7 trillion annually due to obesity-related costs.
- Platform Partnerships: The platform collaborates with over 15 independent program administrators, including pharmacies like HealthDyne and CenterWell, ensuring nationwide drug availability and enhancing employee access to medications.
- Zepbound Pricing Strategy: Lilly's Zepbound KwikPen is priced at $449 across all doses, although final costs for employers and employees will vary based on the chosen administrator and cost-sharing model, potentially lowering out-of-pocket expenses for employees.
- Clinical Trial Demand Support: In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults using Zepbound lost an average of 20.9% of body weight over 72 weeks compared to just 3.1% for the placebo group, demonstrating the drug's effectiveness in obesity management and further driving market demand.
See More
Eli Lilly Launches New Program to Enhance Obesity Drug Coverage
- Program Launch: Eli Lilly has introduced the 'Employer Connect' platform aimed at helping more employers cover obesity drugs, addressing a major barrier to patient access and expected to enhance employee drug accessibility.
- Price Transparency: Through this platform, employers can purchase a multi-dose form of Zepbound at a net discounted price of $449 per month, avoiding traditional rebate models, thereby providing clearer visibility on drug pricing for employers.
- Flexible Benefits Design: Employers can choose from 15 different third-party administrators to design benefits tailored to their budget and workforce needs, offering comprehensive obesity management services including telehealth, nutrition, and lifestyle support.
- Government Insurance Coverage: Under landmark deals with President Trump, Medicare will cover obesity drugs for the first time, which is expected to further expand drug accessibility and benefit more patients.
See More
Eli Lilly Launches Zepbound® KwikPen® to Enhance Obesity Treatment Access
- Platform Launch: Eli Lilly has introduced the Employer Connect platform to collaborate with independent program administrators, providing flexible obesity management medication solutions aimed at helping over 100 million obese adults in the U.S., which is expected to significantly improve employee health and productivity.
- Cost Reduction: The Zepbound® KwikPen® is priced at $449, with cost-sharing options available through the Employer Connect platform, substantially lowering out-of-pocket expenses for employees and enhancing accessibility to obesity treatment while aligning with employer budgets.
- Expanded Coverage: The platform collaborates with over 15 independent program administrators, offering nationwide pharmacy support that allows employers to design personalized obesity management programs tailored to their needs, thereby increasing employer control and flexibility in employee health management.
- Significant Clinical Outcomes: In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults taking Zepbound 15mg lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight over 72 weeks, compared to just 3.1% in the placebo group, demonstrating the drug's strong efficacy in obesity management and further driving market demand.
See More
