Study finds Lilly's obesity drug Zepbound may lower hospital and ER costs for older adults

A real‑world analysis examined older patients with obesity or excess weight who were either treated with Eli Lilly’s drug Zepbound or not. The researchers tracked healthcare utilization over time to see how the medication affected hospital and emergency department visits.

The results showed that patients who stayed on Zepbound incurred lower monthly expenses. After six months, the average cost per patient was about $180 less, and the gap grew to roughly $600 after a year.

The study’s authors suggest that the drug’s ability to reduce acute care use could offset its price, potentially delivering overall savings for the healthcare system. Lilly executives highlighted the findings as evidence that effective obesity treatment can also bring economic benefits.