CVS Caremark Restores Zepbound Oct. 1, Adds Foundayo June 1 to Formulary
CVS•CVS Caremark will restore coverage of Eli Lilly’s Zepbound injection on October 1 and add the Foundayo oral pill to its standard commercial formulary for June 1, extending coverage to roughly 25 million–30 million members. The restructured formulary grants co-preferred status with Wegovy and is projected to cut weight drug spending by 10%–15%.
1. Coverage Reversal and Timeline
CVS Caremark will reinstate Eli Lilly’s Zepbound injection on October 1 and introduce the Foundayo oral pill on June 1 under its standard commercial formulary, potentially covering 25 million–30 million members. Employers and health plans retain final discretion over inclusion beyond the standard template.
2. Co-Preferred Formulary and Projected Savings
Under the new arrangement, Zepbound and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy injection and pills will share co-preferred status, preserving access for existing patients. CVS projects this realignment will reduce its overall spending on weight management drugs by 10%–15%.
3. Negotiation and Market Response
Last year’s formulary deal had elevated Wegovy and excluded Zepbound, triggering patient backlash and a pending class-action suit. CVS Caremark leadership engaged both manufacturers to rebalance access and address affordability concerns.
4. Drug Features and Competitive Dynamics
Foundayo carries no food or timing restrictions, while the Wegovy pill requires a morning fast. Both companies have set uninsured prices at $149 per month, and Zepbound’s list price of $1,086 monthly can drop to a $25 copay for some insured patients.
