Eli Lilly, which manufactures Zepbound, said it plans to seek wider approval for the drug after studies showed it could alleviate symptoms of sleep apnea.
Eli Lilly is working to build a “wall of evidence” to prove to insurers the drugs have benefits beyond weight loss, Derek Asay, senior vice president of government strategy and federal accounts at Eli Lilly, told the Journal.
More than 30 million Americans have sleep apnea, which can lead to long-term complications such as heart problems, according to the Journal. If Zepbound is approved to treat sleep apnea, sales could rise by $5 billion a year, analysts predict.
GLP-1 drugs approved for weight loss cost between $1,050 and $1,350 a month without insurance coverage. Some employers and insurers have dropped coverage of the drugs, citing their high cost.
Federal law prevents Medicare from paying for drugs for weight loss only, though it can cover the drugs if they are used to treat other conditions.
The FDA approved Wegovy for certain heart conditions in March. Some Medicare Advantage plans, including Elevance Health, Kaiser Permanente and CVS Health, said they would pay for Wegovy when used to treat cardiovascular conditions.
The FDA could issue a decision on Zepbound’s use to treat sleep apnea by the end of the year, the Journal reported.
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