Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has recently launched a groundbreaking website, LillyDirect, aimed at improving the accessibility of treatments, including weight-loss drugs. This online platform is specifically designed for patients living in the United States who are dealing with migraines, obesity, or diabetes.
LillyDirect provides patients with a range of disease-management resources, such as easy access to independent healthcare providers and direct home delivery of select Lilly medicines through third-party pharmacy dispensing services. According to a company news release, the goal behind this initiative is to simplify the patient experience and ultimately enhance overall treatment outcomes.
CEO David Ricks emphasizes the need for this innovation, stating, “A complex U.S. healthcare system adds to the burdens patients face when managing a chronic disease. With LillyDirect, our goal is to relieve some of those burdens by simplifying the patient experience to help improve outcomes.”
One particular focus of interest for both patients and analysts is weight-loss drugs. In November, the Food and Drug Administration approved Eli Lilly’s obesity treatment called Zepbound, which was previously marketed as a diabetes treatment under the name Mounjaro. This new treatment will directly compete with Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Wegovy, as previously reported.
However, it is important to note that while these drugs have the potential to generate substantial revenue for both Lilly and Novo, there is a concern that individuals who do not medically require them for obesity or diabetes may seek to use them for cosmetic weight loss purposes. To address this concern, Lilly explicitly stated in a separate press release that Mounjaro and Zepbound are indicated for the treatment of serious diseases and should not be used for cosmetic weight loss.
As a result of this exciting announcement, shares of Eli Lilly experienced a 1.6% increase in premarket trading, reaching $627.77 per share. Over the past 12 months, Lilly’s stock has risen an impressive 72%. It is worth mentioning that futures on the S&P 500 displayed a slight dip during the same period.
