Eli Lilly leans on cash-pay model to grow obesity drug sales in US and overseas

Eli Lilly has observed that patients in the United States are prepared to pay several hundred dollars each month for treatments targeting obesity.

The company has focused on a cash-pay approach, selling directly to patients rather than relying solely on insurance reimbursement, which has helped it expand its market presence.

This strategy is now being extended beyond the U.S., as Lilly seeks to capture demand in other countries where similar willingness to pay may exist.

By emphasizing out-of-pocket purchases, the firm hopes to sustain revenue growth for its GLP-1 based obesity medicines despite potential reimbursement challenges.