Eli Lilly's new program aims to boost employer coverage of GLP-1s

Shelby Livingston / endpoints - With insurance coverage of weight loss medications stalled, Eli Lilly has developed a program to give employers another way to pay for their workers' GLP-1 treatments. The pharma giant on Thursday announced the launch of ...

AI Summary: Eli Lilly unveiled an Employer Connect program designed to help employers expand coverage for GLP‑1–class weight‑loss drugs amid stalled insurer uptake. The initiative offers new contracting and access pathways for workplaces, addressing demand while prompting debate over whether it changes the underlying benefit‑design economics. It’s helpful—if you don’t expect a revolution.

Optum Rx, Caremark making ‘significant progress’ in settlement talks with FTC

Rebecca Pifer Parduhn / healthcaredive - It’s looking increasingly likely that the UnitedHealth and CVS drug middlemen will also make peace with federal regulators, after Cigna agreed to a sweeping settlement in the insulin lawsuit last month.

AI Summary: Federal regulators and two pharmacy benefit managers are reportedly making substantial progress toward resolving an FTC antitrust probe tied to insulin pricing and PBM practices. Negotiations aim to settle allegations without protracted litigation, potentially changing how PBMs operate and how insulin costs are managed for states and patients.