Which drug makers could launch DTP programs next? Here is what we know.

What is a direct-to-patient program?

A direct-to-patient (DTP) program is when a drug maker sells their medication directly to you, the patient. You skip the traditional pharmacy and insurance process. The drug ships to your door at a fixed price set by the manufacturer.

DTP programs have grown quickly since 2024. Companies like Eli Lilly (LillyDirect), Novo Nordisk (NovoCare), and Pfizer (PfizerForAll) were among the first. Today, 12 DTP platforms cover drugs for diabetes, obesity, asthma, COPD, heart disease, psoriasis, migraine, and more. But several big drug makers have not launched DTP programs yet — and patients are waiting.

AbbVie — Humira, Skyrizi, Rinvoq

AbbVie makes some of the most widely used drugs for autoimmune conditions. Humira (adalimumab) was the best-selling drug in the world for nearly a decade. Skyrizi and Rinvoq are its newer replacements, used for psoriasis, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions.

At retail, these drugs are expensive. Skyrizi can cost over $5,000 per month without insurance. Rinvoq is similar. Even Humira, which now has biosimilar competition, still costs over $6,000 per month at list price.

AbbVie currently offers the myAbbVie Assist patient assistance program, which helps some patients get their medications at reduced cost or for free. However, this is a traditional patient assistance program (PAP) — not a direct-to-patient dispensing platform. It typically requires income verification and has more restrictions than a DTP program.

A DTP program from AbbVie would be significant. Millions of patients take Humira, Skyrizi, or Rinvoq, and many struggle with the cost — especially those without insurance or with high-deductible plans. As of March 2026, AbbVie has not announced plans to launch a DTP platform.

Sanofi — Dupixent

Dupixent (dupilumab) is one of the most important new drugs in immunology. It is FDA-approved for moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis), asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and other conditions. For many patients with severe eczema or hard-to-control asthma, Dupixent is life-changing.

The problem is the price. Without insurance, Dupixent costs roughly $3,000 to $3,500 per month. Even with insurance, copays can be hundreds of dollars. Sanofi offers a copay card for commercially insured patients, but there is no self-pay or cash-price DTP program available today.

Dupixent is one of the most-searched drugs for savings options. If Sanofi were to launch a DTP program with transparent cash pricing — similar to what Novo Nordisk did with Wegovy or what Novartis did with Cosentyx — it would immediately become one of the most impactful DTP programs in the market. As of March 2026, Sanofi has not announced any plans to do so.

Merck — Keytruda

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is the highest-revenue drug in the world. It is an immunotherapy medication used to treat many types of cancer, including lung cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer, bladder cancer, and others. For many cancer patients, Keytruda is a critical part of their treatment.

Keytruda is given as an IV infusion at a doctor's office or hospital, which makes it different from most DTP drugs (which are pills or self-injections you take at home). The cost is also much higher — over $10,000 per infusion at list price. Most patients receive Keytruda through insurance or hospital programs.

Merck currently offers the Merck Helps patient assistance program for eligible patients, but it is a traditional PAP with income requirements. A true DTP program for Keytruda would be complex because of the IV administration, but Merck has other drugs in its portfolio (like Januvia for diabetes) that could be candidates for a DTP model. As of March 2026, Merck has not announced any DTP plans.

Existing platforms that may add more drugs

It is not just new platforms we are watching. Some existing DTP platforms are expected to expand their drug offerings over time.

Why does this matter for patients?

DTP programs give patients a way to buy their medication at a fixed, transparent price — without dealing with insurance approvals, prior authorizations, or surprise pharmacy bills. For patients who are uninsured, or who have high-deductible plans, these programs can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month.

The more manufacturers that launch DTP programs, the more options patients have. Right now, drugs like Dupixent, Skyrizi, and Rinvoq leave many patients with few affordable options outside of traditional insurance or patient assistance programs with income requirements.

We believe this space will continue to grow. The success of LillyDirect, NovoCare, and other early DTP platforms has shown that patients want transparent pricing and direct access. The question is not if more manufacturers will launch DTP programs — it is when.

How DirectRxGuide helps

DirectRxGuide is an independent information aggregator that tracks every active direct-to-patient program in the United States. No pharmaceutical manufacturer funds, sponsors, or influences this platform. We monitor the industry daily and add new programs as soon as they launch.

If AbbVie, Sanofi, Merck, or any other manufacturer launches a DTP program, you will find it on DirectRxGuide. In the meantime, you can use our Find My Options tool to see every DTP program that is available today for your condition and insurance status.