Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, 9amHealth Partner for Obesity Meds

9amHealth, a virtual cardiometabolic care company, is collaborating with Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (Cost Plus Drugs) to incorporate lower-cost oral medications into its obesity treatment program. This partnership enables 9amHealth to offer more affordable alternatives for obesity care by sourcing medications from Cost Plus Drugs, supplementing its existing use of branded GLP-1 medications secured through direct manufacturer partnerships.

Designed for self-insured employers, the program targets organizations aiming to expand coverage for weight management and chronic conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension. Employees will gain access to these medications alongside 9amHealth’s care team, which includes obesity medicine physicians, endocrinologists, and cardiometabolic specialists.

COO and cofounder Paul Geevarghese emphasized that the partnership provides employers a cost-effective way to offer comprehensive obesity care. “We're not only lowering the cost of medications,” he said, “we're also connecting members to real, human care: specialists in obesity and diabetes, clinical pharmacists, and ongoing nutritional support with registered dietitians—all from the comfort of home.”

This move follows a broader trend of companies teaming up with Cost Plus Drugs to reduce prescription costs and expand virtual care. In 2024, eNavvi partnered with the company to let physicians send prescriptions directly to over 7,000 pharmacies via a digital pad. That same year, Wheel collaborated with Cost Plus Drugs, Talkspace, and Health Gorilla to integrate mental health services, drug pricing tools, and lab diagnostics into its virtual care platform.

9amHealth previously raised $16 million in a 2022 Series A round led by 7wireVentures and Human Capital, with participation from StartUp Health, Leaps By Bayer, Define Ventures, and Founders Fund.

Meanwhile, major players like Lilly have entered the obesity care space as well. In 2024, Lilly launched LillyDirect, a digital platform offering patients with diabetes, obesity, and migraines access to healthcare providers, educational tools, and a pharmacy service that delivers select medications directly to their homes.