Dear Supporters,
I am writing to provide you with a significant update on our collective efforts regarding CVS Caremark's decision to remove Zepbound from its formulary. Your engagement and support have been remarkable.
Since my last communication, our petition has now surpassed 6,000 signatures. This strong response from both patients and providers shows the widespread concern surrounding this issue.
Key Developments & Continued Advocacy:
Our efforts to raise awareness and advocate for continued access to Zepbound are gaining traction:
- National Media Attention: Following the Bloomberg article, The New York Times also published a piece discussing this important formulary change and mentioned our petition. This national coverage is crucial for highlighting the patient impact. You can read the article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/11/health/zepbound-wegovy-weight-loss-drugs.html
- Podcast Discussion: I recently discussed the clinical implications of this decision and the importance of Zepbound access on the "On The Pen" podcast with Dave Knapp. The interview (my segment begins around the 22-minute mark) can be found here: https://youtu.be/bJKEC_GWvZU?t=1343
(Further podcast discussions are also planned and will be shared once available.)
Formal Communication with CVS Caremark:
I want to assure you that your voices are being conveyed directly to those making these decisions. Today, I sent a formal appeal to the executive leadership team at CVS Caremark, outlining our significant concerns, the strength of the petition, the media attention, and the profound impact this formulary change will have.
For transparency, I am sharing the full content of that email with you below. It represents our collective position.
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Dear Dr. Gourdine, Dr. Chaguturu, Mr. Joyner, and Mr. DeVaney,
I am writing to you again with profound concern regarding CVS Caremark's decision to remove Zepbound (tirzepatide) from its standard commercial formularies, effective July 1, 2025. Since my initial correspondence, the outpouring of concern from both patients and healthcare providers has been overwhelming, underscoring the significant negative impact this decision will have.
To provide a clear and unified voice for these concerns, I launched a public petition urging CVS Caremark to reconsider this formulary exclusion. In just over a week, this petition has garnered over 6,000 signatures. Beyond the sheer numbers, the dozens and dozens of comments from patients are deeply moving and illustrative. They detail how Zepbound has been a life-changing medication for them, often after years of struggle with obesity and its comorbidities, and sometimes after failing or poorly tolerating other therapies, including Wegovy. Their comments express profound frustration and anxiety about being forced to switch from a highly effective and well-tolerated treatment to what many perceive as a clinically inferior option, or one they have previously found intolerable.
The depth of this patient and provider concern, and the widespread impact of your formulary decision, have also been highlighted by significant national media attention:
- The New York Times recently featured this issue and our petition: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/11/health/zepbound-wegovy-weight-loss-drugs.html
- Bloomberg News also covered the story and the patient response: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-09/zepbound-patients-fear-switch-to-wegovy-after-cvs-deal
- I have also discussed these concerns on obesity medicine podcasts, including "On The Pen," with more discussions forthcoming, reaching thousands of listeners.
As I, and many of my clinical colleagues, have emphasized, Zepbound demonstrates superior efficacy and better tolerability for a significant portion of patients compared to Wegovy. The unique benefits, such as its FDA approval for obstructive sleep apnea and its broader metabolic improvements due to its dual-agonist mechanism, are also vital considerations. Forcing non-medical switching risks undermining successful treatment plans, potentially leading to weight regain, the return of comorbidities, and significant patient distress, not to mention the clinical challenges of transitioning patients between these non-equivalent medications. In recent days, I have personally met with dozens of my own patients who, after finally achieving success and stability on Zepbound, are now deeply distressed, frightened, and frustrated by the letters they've received from Caremark informing them of this impending change. Consequently, Caremark can anticipate tens of thousands of formulary exception requests, appeals, and patient grievances as individuals and their providers seek continued access to Zepbound.
Dr. Gourdine, in previous correspondence, you noted that Caremark's formularies are "evidence-based." The sheer volume of patient and provider feedback, coupled with clinical data supporting Zepbound (such as the SURMOUNT-5 trial results which were published three days ago in the NEJM showcasing 47% more weight loss and better tolerability on Zepbound compared to Wegovy), suggests that this particular formulary decision may not fully align with that goal, especially concerning real-world patient outcomes and tolerability.
We understand the complexities of formulary management and cost considerations. However, the depth of concern demonstrated by thousands of patients and providers, amplified by national media, indicates that the decision to exclude Zepbound warrants urgent re-evaluation. The potential negative impact on patient health, adherence, and trust in the healthcare system is substantial.
I ask you to visit the petition at https://www.change.org/p/stop-cvs-caremark-s-zepbound-ban-restore-coverage-of-the-superior-obesity-medication and, most importantly, to read the dozens of heartfelt comments from patients. These firsthand accounts illustrate the profound, often life-changing, impact Zepbound has had and the significant distress and concern your decision is causing them.
Therefore, on behalf of the over 6,000 individuals who have signed this petition, and countless others affected, I respectfully and urgently implore you to:
- Re-evaluate the clinical and patient-impact evidence that strongly supports continued access to Zepbound.
- Reconsider the decision to remove Zepbound from your standard commercial formularies.
- Engage in a dialogue with clinical leaders and patient advocates to better understand the profound implications of this formulary change.
We believe that a solution can be found that balances fiscal responsibility with the paramount need to ensure patients have access to the most clinically appropriate, effective, and tolerable treatments for a complex chronic disease like obesity.
Thank you for your time and serious consideration of this critical matter. We look forward to a constructive response.
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Next Steps & Continued Engagement:
While sending this formal communication is a critical step, our advocacy continues. Your ongoing support remains vital:
- Share the Petition: Continued growth in signatures and comments reinforces the significance of this concern. Please consider sharing the link with those who may be affected: https://www.change.org/p/stop-cvs-caremark-s-zepbound-ban-restore-coverage-of-the-superior-obesity-medication
- Spread Information: Sharing the news articles and podcast helps educate a wider audience.
- Utilize the Hashtag: Using #KeepZepbound helps consolidate the online conversation.
Thank you for your commitment to this important cause. Every signature and every share contributes to our collective effort to ensure patients have access to the most appropriate and effective treatments. I will keep you informed of any further developments.
Sincerely,
Joseph Zucchi, PA-C
Clinical Supervisor
Transition Medical Weight Loss