Eli Lilly expects to launch its weight-loss pill in Europe and Britain by early 2027, targeting the out-of-pocket telehealth market as Trump's most-favoured-nation pricing policy complicates reimbursement negotiations with European health authorities.
Eli Lilly expects to launch its weight-loss pill in Europe and Britain by early 2027, targeting the out-of-pocket telehealth market.
"Our goal will still be public coverage, wherever possible," Patrik Jonsson, executive vice president of Lilly's international businesses, said. He added that the most-favoured-nation framework "will play a role for all launches."
Lilly signed an agreement with the Trump administration last year committing to provide MFN pricing on new medicines. The policy seeks to link some US drug prices to those paid in other countries. Jonsson said Lilly would seek reimbursed prices consistent with its interpretation of the MFN framework, which adjusts prices for countries' income levels.
The comments come as drugmakers and European governments clash over medicine pricing, with companies warning that lower European prices could increasingly affect returns in the lucrative US market. Lilly plans to launch the drug as soon as it gets regulatory approvals, partnering with telehealth companies because most obesity treatment outside the US is paid for directly by patients.
The strategy builds on Lilly's efforts to develop a consumer-focused obesity business outside the US through telehealth providers, e-commerce platforms and direct-to-patient channels. Jonsson said the company is continuing to apply lessons from the development of the US obesity market.
Lilly still plans to pursue public reimbursement from European governments where possible, even as the new US drug pricing policies complicate negotiations with health authorities. The company expects Europe and Britain to be among the next markets to receive the drug after recent approvals in the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
The launch timeline gives Lilly a potential edge in the European obesity market, where Novo Nordisk's Wegovy currently dominates. Investors will watch for regulatory approval dates and pricing negotiations with European health authorities as key catalysts through 2027.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
