A New Prescription: Cutting the Cost of Weight-Loss Drugs

Cost Plus and 9amHealth team up to make weight-loss meds affordable through telehealth and employer health plans.

17 Jun 2025

Cost Plus Drug Company has partnered with digital health provider 9amHealth to reduce the cost of obesity treatments, aiming to make high-priced medicines more accessible to US workers.

The collaboration, announced on June 17, 2025, combines Cost Plus's low-markup pricing model with 9amHealth's virtual care platform. The focus is on GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, which can exceed $1,000 a month and have posed affordability challenges for patients and employers.

Employees covered by participating self-insured employer plans will be able to obtain medication alongside virtual consultations with pharmacists, nutrition coaching and specialist referrals. The programme also includes lower-cost generic drugs such as metformin and bupropion, sourced through Cost Plus, alongside discounted branded treatments.

Obesity affects more than 40 per cent of US adults, with associated medical costs weighing heavily on employer-sponsored healthcare. Industry advisers said the partnership responds to growing demand for models that balance affordability with long-term patient engagement. "This isn't just about lowering prices, it is about building a care system that keeps patients engaged and delivers measurable health gains," said one benefits consultant.

The initiative builds on a broader trend of using telehealth to manage chronic conditions. By removing geographic and scheduling barriers, the model extends access to patients who might otherwise avoid treatment. It also creates a template for addressing other costly health burdens such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Barriers remain, including the need to secure a stable supply of medicines and to demonstrate sustained clinical outcomes. But observers say the programme could serve as a blueprint for future collaborations between employers, healthcare providers and technology companies.

If successful, the alliance may encourage further partnerships designed to expand access to high-value care while curbing costs in the US healthcare system.