Teamwork, Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) stock gains after CVS adds Zepbound to drug list

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) shares rose 1% in pre-market trading Thursday after CVS Caremark announced it will add the company’s obesity medicine Zepbound to its preferred drug list.

The pharmaceutical company said all three of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefit managers will now cover Lilly’s full obesity medicine portfolio. Coverage from CVS Caremark Commercial Template begins June 1 for Foundayo, while current Zepbound patients will see continued coverage with broader access across template plans by October 1.

For eligible patients with commercial coverage, both medicines will be available for as little as $25 per month. Medicare Part D beneficiaries may be eligible to pay $50 per month for their obesity medicines beginning July 1 through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program.

Foundayo is the only once-daily GLP-1 pill for weight management that can be taken any time of day without food or water restrictions. Zepbound is the most-prescribed injectable weight management medicine in the United States.