Lilly and Novo Nordisk back employer-direct programs for obesity drugs

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are backing new programs that would let employers offer obesity drugs through direct arrangements with partner companies, bypassing traditional drug sales channels, the companies and their partners said on Nov. 21, 2025 ^[1][2].

Lilly said its employer-focused obesity care model is built on three elements: flexibility for employers to design obesity benefits for their own workforces, a dedicated pharmacy network meant to make costs easier to understand and track, and partnerships with outside organizations that support broader weight management programs ^[1]. Lilly said the model will launch in early 2026, with the next several months spent refining the rollout with its partners ^[1].

Who is involved and what they are offering

Health technology company Waltz Health, one of Lilly's partners, said it will make a direct-to-employer access model available on Jan. 1 ^[1]. That program combines fixed pricing for obesity drugs with real-time eligibility checks, prescription routing and ongoing patient engagement, according to the company ^[1].

"Obesity management medicines are driving a major shift in care expectations, and employers are actively searching for solutions that make coverage both clinically responsible and financially viable," said Mark Thierer, co-founder and CEO of Waltz Health, in a statement ^[1].

The virtual cardiometabolic care provider 9amHealth announced a "No Barriers Bundle" with Lilly that pairs access to Lilly's obesity drugs with 9amHealth's obesity care platform ^[1]. "We built these solutions to give employers transparency and predictability while ensuring employees receive safe, FDA-approved obesity management medications and clinically guided care," said Paul Geevarghese, 9amHealth's co-founder and chief operating officer ^[1].

Reuters reported that the direct-to-employer programs are being announced in collaboration with both Lilly and Novo Nordisk ^[2]. A Novo Nordisk spokesperson told Reuters that the initiatives "enable more employers to opt in to coverage for authentic, FDA-approved GLP-1 medicines" ^[2].

"Obesity care is the next frontier in employer health benefits," said Ilya Yuffa, a Lilly executive vice president. "Companies that act now will lead the way, closing coverage gaps and building healthier, more resilient workforces" ^[2].

Lilly said the new model builds on its recently announced deal with the White House to cut the price of its flagship GLP-1 drugs ^[1]. Reuters reported that both Lilly and Novo Nordisk agreed earlier in November to slash the prices of their weight-loss drugs for Medicare and Medicaid, the government health insurance programs, as well as for cash payers ^[2].

Analysts estimate the obesity treatment market could be worth $150 billion annually by the early 2030s ^[2]. Both drugmakers have been trying to expand access to their weight-loss treatments in the United States and to eliminate unapproved compounded versions, which are made by combining, mixing or altering drug ingredients ^[2].

The announcements did not name the specific drugs that will be offered through the employer programs, and no prices for the employer arrangements have been disclosed ^[1][2]. The statements also did not specify how pharmacy benefit managers, the intermediaries that commonly negotiate drug coverage for employers, would be involved, or whether the programs replace or sit alongside existing coverage ^[1][2].

Why it matters for patients

Most Americans with commercial insurance get prescription drug coverage through an employer, so an employer's decision about whether and how to cover GLP-1 medications often decides what a patient pays at the pharmacy counter. These programs are aimed at giving employers a way to contract for obesity drugs more directly, which could make coverage easier for some companies to offer — or could leave coverage unchanged at companies that do not sign on ^[1][2].

Several practical details are not yet known. The announcements did not disclose what patients would pay in copays, deductibles or other cost sharing under the arrangements, which drugs would be included, or how eligibility would be determined ^[1][2]. The sources also do not say whether the programs set any requirements such as prior authorizations or participation in a care platform, beyond Waltz's description of clinical support and 9amHealth's description of clinically guided care ^[1].

What happens next

Waltz Health said its direct-to-employer access model will be available on Jan. 1 ^[1]. Lilly's employer-focused obesity care model is scheduled to launch in early 2026, with partner work continuing in the months before then ^[1]. Further details on pricing, covered products and employer participation have not been announced.