Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk now sell GLP-1 medications directly to patients at self-pay prices that compete with compounded providers. LillyDirect handles Foundayo and Zepbound. NovoCare handles Wegovy and Ozempic. If you want brand-name, FDA-approved medication without going through insurance, here's which program offers better value.
Program-by-Program Breakdown
| Feature | LillyDirect (Eli Lilly) | NovoCare (Novo Nordisk) |
|---|---|---|
| Oral GLP-1 | Foundayo (orforglipron) | Wegovy tablet (semaglutide 25mg) |
| Oral starter price | $149/mo (0.8mg) | $149/mo (1.5mg + 4mg) |
| Oral maintenance price | $299/mo (5.5-17.2mg) | $299-349/mo (9-25mg) |
| Injectable GLP-1 | Zepbound (tirzepatide) | Wegovy (semaglutide) |
| Injectable price | $299-449/mo (vials) | $199 first 2mo, then $349/mo |
| Highest-dose injectable | Zepbound 15mg: $449/mo | Wegovy HD 7.2mg: $399/mo |
| Insurance + savings card | As low as $25/mo | As low as $25/mo |
| Medicare eligible (July 2026) | ✅ Foundayo + Zepbound KwikPen | ✅ Wegovy (all forms) |
| Medicare copay | $50/mo | $50/mo |
| Retail pharmacy pickup | ✅ Walmart available | ✅ Major chains |
| Food restrictions (oral) | None — any time of day | Empty stomach, 30min wait |
| Weight loss (head-to-head) | Tirz: 20.2% / Foundayo: ~11-12% | Sema: 13.7% |
| 2027 list price | TBD | $675/mo (50% cut) |
LillyDirect: The Full Picture
Foundayo (oral orforglipron)
FDA-approved April 1, 2026. The only GLP-1 pill you can take any time of day with or without food — a genuine convenience advantage over Wegovy's oral tablet. Self-pay pricing through LillyDirect: $149/month (0.8mg starter), $199 (2.5mg), $299 (5.5-17.2mg maintenance). For maintenance doses of 14.5mg and 17.2mg, refills must be completed within 45 days to maintain the $299 price — otherwise it reverts to $349.
Zepbound (injectable tirzepatide)
Self-pay vials through LillyDirect: $299/month (2.5-5mg), $399 (7.5-10mg), $449 (12.5-15mg). Also available at Walmart pharmacy pickup with the same pricing. The SURMOUNT-5 trial showed tirzepatide produces 20.2% weight loss vs semaglutide's 13.7% — the strongest efficacy of any current GLP-1.
NovoCare: The Full Picture
Wegovy oral tablet (semaglutide 25mg)
FDA-approved December 2025, in pharmacies since January 2026. Starter doses (1.5mg + 4mg) at $149/month through NovoCare. The 4mg price holds at $149 through August 31, 2026, then increases to $199. Higher maintenance doses (9mg, 25mg) are $299-349/month. Requires empty stomach with a 30-minute wait before eating.
Wegovy injection (semaglutide 2.4mg + HD 7.2mg)
New self-pay patients get $199/month for the first two months (0.25mg and 0.5mg starter doses, valid through June 30, 2026). After that, $349/month across all doses. Wegovy HD at 7.2mg — the highest semaglutide dose, delivering greater weight loss than the standard 2.4mg — costs $399/month.
2027 list price cut
Effective January 1, 2027, Novo Nordisk drops the list price of all Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus formulations to $675/month — roughly half the current list price. This primarily benefits patients with high-deductible insurance whose copays are tied to list price.
What About Compounded Alternatives?
Both manufacturer programs now compete directly with compounded providers on price at the starter dose ($149/month matches mid-tier compounded). But compounded providers like GobyMeds ($99/month) and Oak Longevity ($130/month) still undercut brand-name significantly — especially at maintenance doses where brand-name climbs to $299-449/month while compounded stays flat.