The news: Eli Lilly’s Q3 revenues rose 39% YoY to more than $24 billion, driven largely by its GLP-1 drugs Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for obesity. Combined sales increased nearly $6 billion YoY, accounting for most of Lilly’s $6.8 billion revenue growth. Mounjaro sales rose 65% to $10.7 billion, while Zepbound sales climbed 49% to $5.4 billion.

Sales of Foundayo, Lilly’s oral GLP-1 for weight loss launched in April, reached $184 million, nearly double its launch quarter. By the end of Q3, about 40% of patients starting an oral obesity medicine were choosing Foundayo.

Why it matters: Lilly’s results show how higher GLP-1 sales volume can offset lower drug prices. Across its US business, sales grew 41% by volume in Q3, largely on demand for Mounjaro and Zepbound, while prices fell 7%, primarily due to Zepbound. Lilly cut prices under a Trump administration deal to expand Medicare access to obesity drugs, with separate cash-pay discounts through LillyDirect and telehealth providers.

The Medicare Bridge program is also contributing to prescription volume growth. More than 500,000 patients have filled Lilly prescriptions through the $50-per-month copay program since it began in July. Lilly accounts for about 70% of new patients in the program, and 80% of its Bridge patients are new to GLP-1 medicines, suggesting expanded coverage is bringing new patients into the market.

Implications for GLP-1 marketers: Lower prices and broader Medicare coverage give marketers an opportunity to reach more people considering these medicines for the first time. Beyond promoting the $50 monthly copay, marketers can help eligible patients understand coverage requirements and how to obtain treatment, turning greater awareness into prescriptions.

Lower out-of-pocket costs may help more patients start on treatment, but keeping them on remains a challenge. Marketers can support patients after their first prescription with follow-up communications about managing side effects, adjusting to dose increases, and setting realistic treatment recommendations. That support could help patients overcome challenges that might otherwise cause them to stop their medication regimens.

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