(Reuters) -Eli Lilly said on Wednesday it is partnering with Walmart to sell its weight-loss treatment Zepbound at the retailer's pharmacies across the United States at direct-to-consumer prices. This marks the first time the drugmaker has provided a retail pick-up option to customers who use the LillyDirect website to order Zepbound, it said. Self-paying customers can get Zepbound single-dose vials in all approved strengths at Walmart pharmacies, with the lowest dose starting at $349 per month, Lilly said. The drugmaker has been working on expanding access to Zepbound as it competes with rival Novo Nordisk's Wegovy for a share in the potential $150 billion obesity drug market. About 35% of new prescriptions of the drug it fulfilled during the second quarter were from cash-paying customers through LillyDirect, the company said. Recent prescription data shared by analysts indicates Lilly has taken the lead, overtaking Novo despite its initial first-mover advantage. The companies have also been offering the drugs on several telehealth platforms. (Reporting by Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Leroy Leo)
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