WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health on Thursday announced updates to its most widely used commercial formularies, expanding GLP-1 options for members, including the return of Zepbound (tirzepatide) as a covered medication. The changes build on CVS Caremark’s efforts as a pharmacy benefits manager to improve access to FDA-approved weight management therapies at more affordable costs. Plan sponsors using Caremark’s template formularies will continue to have the flexibility to customize coverage.
CVS Caremark will reintroduce Zepbound to its commercial formularies as a preferred option beginning October 1, 2026, increasing access to GLP-1 therapies for plan sponsors that elect to cover weight management medications. In addition, effective June 1, 2026, Caremark will lift the new-to-market block on Foundayo (orforglipron), an oral GLP-1 therapy, for plans that approve coverage.
Over the past year, CVS Caremark has focused on driving changes in the GLP-1 weight management category to help lower costs. The company said this approach has enabled it to expand treatment options while continuing to improve affordability.
The company expects the updates to generate additional savings in the weight management category—following a track record of delivering double-digit savings year over year for clients using its template formularies—while also broadening choice for members.
Why is CVS Caremark adding Zepbound to their formulary?
“We’re creating access and options that would not have existed without our leadership in the market,” said Ed DeVaney, president, CVS Caremark. “We acted boldly through active engagement and negotiation with our drug manufacturer partners to tackle affordability and access for our customers and their members.”
What is CVS Caremark doing to bring down the cost of GLP-1s?
Over the past two years, high prices have put these therapies out of reach for the many people who could benefit from them. Last year, the company took the initiative to drive engagement with manufacturers to bend the cost curve — similar to how we’ve helped improve affordability for drugs used for diabetes, high cholesterol, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and many more.
By acting early, the company helped improve affordability and get ahead of a rapidly evolving GLP-1 pipeline. This past year, as this therapy class has continued to evolve, as the company worked with the manufacturers to secure a more affordable cost with positive results that allow us the flexibility to continue offering our customers more choice and access for their members.
What are the challenges with GLP-1 pricing?
While GLP-1s represent a major clinical advancement, the broad demand for a high-priced medicine creates a level of financial strain that is difficult to absorb at scale. As a result, many of our customers have made tough trade-offs, limiting coverage in order to maintain sustainable, balanced benefit programs. Ongoing collaboration with pharmaceutical companies is helping to make this in-demand drug class more accessible.
How was CVS Caremark able to lower the price of these weight management drugs?
As a pharmacy benefit manager, CVS Caremark is hired by businesses, big and small, health plans, unions, and government entities to negotiate the cost of medications included on formularies elected by plan sponsors that offer a benefit to their members. These negotiations have led us to deliver increased affordability and increased access to GLP-1s across the class.
What is a formulary and how does it impact patients?
A formulary is a list of prescription medications available under a health plan, managed with the support of a pharmacy benefit manager. CVS Caremark regularly evaluates formularies — which plan sponsors may adopt or customize based on the needs of their populations — to help support member access to clinically appropriate treatments as evaluated by an independent Pharmacy & Therapeutics committee while helping manage overall medication costs for customers and the members they serve.
How is CVS Caremark supporting customers and members through these changes?
CVS Caremark plans to provide advanced communication and/or support to customers, consultants, providers and members to help ensure a smooth transition to covered therapies. These efforts include proactive outreach, educational resources, and clinical support programs.
These formulary updates are one component of CVS Health’s ongoing efforts to address rising prescription drug costs and improve access to affordable medications for the millions of Americans it serves.
