Lilly, Novo Face Mexico Cost Barrier to Obesity Drug Growth Beyond $1,000-a-Month US Market
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 5
Lilly, Novo Face Mexico Cost Barrier to Obesity Drug Growth Beyond $1,000-a-Month US Market
1 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 5
Summary
Mexico is emerging as a test case for Lilly and Novo Nordisk’s push beyond the US, where obesity-drug demand is strong but many patients still cannot afford Wegovy or Zepbound.
At one Chihuahua clinic, patients often leave with prescriptions for older, less effective drugs because the newer shots remain too expensive for routine use.
Doctor Juan Manuel Esparza Luna is trying to stretch access by pairing low doses of the branded injections with older stimulants such as phentermine or keeping patients longer on the cheapest doses.
The affordability gap highlights a broader obstacle for both companies: expanding blockbuster obesity treatments internationally will require overcoming steep out-of-pocket costs, not just securing market access.