INDIANAPOLIS — Eli Lilly announced Tuesday single-dose vials of weight loss drug Zepbound are now available for patients with a prescription.
"I love it. I love the new me," said Mary Beedle, smiling in front of the home she just bought.
Six months ago, Beedle was in a very different place than the one she is now.
Beedle used to weigh 230 pounds. Since February, she's lost 50 pounds.
"I feel so healthy. I don't hurt anymore. I'm not taking my cholesterol medicine. I'm not taking my thyroid pills," Beedle said.
Beedle credits Lilly's drug Zepbound for the change. Her doctor prescribed the drug to her for weight loss.
"Took that, and I'm never looking back," Beedle said.
Beedle's thankful her insurance covers the drug.
She only pays $25 a month for it, compared to the $1,000 paid out of pocket by people whose insurance doesn't cover Zepbound or for those don't even have insurance.
Now, the same drug that helped Beedle could be accessible to more consumers.
Tuesday morning, Lilly announced it is releasing a new form of Zepbound, at roughly half its usual monthly price.
You can now get 2.5-milligram, single-dose vials of it for $399 per month through Lilly's direct-to-consumer website. You can also get 5-milligram single dose vials for $549 per month.
Plus, you won't need the auto-injector pens for these vials.
"The biggest limitation has been the cost," said Dr. Srinivasu Kesa, with MD Wellness Center.
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Kesa treats Beedle and said more people are asking about Zepbound now that it will be available at a lower cost.
"At the price point they are offering now, it becomes a lot more affordable for a lot more patients," Kesa said.
For those who don't have insurance like Beedle does, the 53-year-old is happy more people could have access to Zepbound because of the lower cost.
Beedle said the drug has given her a whole new life.
"I run after my grandson now. I don't sleep a lot anymore," Beedle said.