June 17 (Reuters) -

Telehealth firm 9amHealth has partnered with billionaire

entrepreneur Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drug Company to offer U.S.

employers cheaper obesity treatment options, the companies said

on Tuesday.

Cost Plus Drugs supplies generic drugs by contracting

directly with manufacturers and applying a standard markup on

each drug it sells.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Employees will now have access to affordable medications

through Cost Plus Drugs, supported by 9amHealth's team of

doctors, all without long waits or costly appointments.

The two companies will offer an option for employers looking

to enhance coverage for weight management as well as chronic

conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension.

CONTEXT

Cuban's startup offers a generic version of Novo Nordisk's

older GLP-1 diabetes drug, Victoza, in injectable

form, according to its website.

Additionally, 9amHealth's obesity program includes branded

GLP-1 medications available through direct manufacturer

partnerships.

Cost Plus Drugs and 9amHealth did not immediately respond to

Reuters' requests for comment on what drugs the tie-up will make

available.

Newer weight-loss drugs such as Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and

Eli Lilly's ( LLY ) Zepbound, known to reduce weight by as much

as 20%, can cost up to $1,000 per month without insurance

coverage.

Cost Plus Drugs has also established similar tie-ups with

pharmacy benefit managers RxPreffered and AffirmedRx to provide

lower-priced drugs via some employer-backed health insurance

plans.