How to Help Your Patients Save Money on Zenpep: A Provider's Guide to Savings Programs

Cost is one of the most frequently cited barriers to pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) adherence. Without support, a patient taking Zenpep (pancrelipase) 40,000 lipase units three times daily — a common dose — may face cash prices exceeding $1,500 to $2,200 per month. For providers managing patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), understanding the available savings programs and how to match patients to the right one is as clinically important as selecting the correct dose. This guide equips your practice to help patients access Zenpep affordably in 2026.

Why Zenpep Cost Management Is a Clinical Priority

Dose rationing and treatment abandonment are real consequences of high PERT costs. Patients who cut their Zenpep dose to stretch their supply, or who skip doses due to cost, face:

• Return of steatorrhea, malabsorption, and GI symptoms
• Progressive weight loss and muscle wasting
• Worsening deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K
• Increased risk of hospitalization for malnutrition-related complications
• In pediatric CF patients: impaired growth and pulmonary function decline

Proactively addressing cost at the time of prescribing — not waiting for the patient to report non-adherence — is essential for EPI management.

Program 1: Z-Save® (Nestlé Health Science / Aimmune Therapeutics)

Z-Save® is the primary manufacturer savings program for Zenpep, designed for EPI patients without CF (chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, other EPI conditions).

Key program details:

• Eligibility: Commercially insured patients only. NOT valid for Medicare (including Medicare Advantage), Medicaid, TRICARE, or other government programs.
• Savings: First fill as low as $0; refills as low as $30. Some eligible patients may pay $0 for each fill, depending on their insurance plan.
• Usage limit: Up to 12 fills of a 30-day supply per year (or up to 4 fills of a 90-day supply).
• Additional benefit: Enrolled patients may receive free nutritional supplements mailed to their home.
• Enrollment: Patients enroll at zenpep.com/support-programs or by calling 1-833-742-0707. The card expires December 31, 2027.
• GoodStart support: Enrolled patients also have access to Pleio GoodStart™, a telephone-based medication support program with up to 5 free counseling calls.

Program 2: CF Patient Support Program (Nestlé / Aimmune)

For patients with EPI due to cystic fibrosis, the Nestlé Health Science CF Pancreatic Enzyme Support Program offers similar savings structure and benefits. This program is managed separately from Z-Save® and has its own terms, conditions, and enrollment process.

• Eligibility: Commercially insured patients with CF-related EPI. Not valid for Medicare/Medicaid.
• Savings: First fill as low as $0; subsequent fills as low as $5. Eligible patients may pay $0 depending on insurance.
• Enrollment: Visit www.ZENPEPCFProgram.com or the CF patient support section at zenpep.com.

Program 3: HealthWell Foundation — Cystic Fibrosis Fund

The HealthWell Foundation administers the Cystic Fibrosis Fund, which provides income-based financial assistance for CF patients — including those who need help paying for Zenpep. This program is especially valuable for:

• Patients who do not qualify for the manufacturer program (e.g., Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries)
• Patients who have exhausted their annual manufacturer program limit
• Patients facing high out-of-pocket costs despite insurance coverage
• Phone: 1-800-675-8416
• Website: healthwellfoundation.org/cystic-fibrosis
• Note: Requires proof of income, valid prescription, and insurance coverage. Pediatric assistance is also available.

Program 4: GoodRx and Discount Cards for Uninsured Patients

For patients without insurance or whose insurance doesn't cover Zenpep, GoodRx, SingleCare, and similar pharmacy discount programs can reduce cash prices by 20–30% or more, depending on the pharmacy and dose strength. These programs are not insurance — patients pay cash at a discounted rate.

When counseling uninsured patients, advise them to:

• Compare GoodRx and SingleCare prices across multiple pharmacies, as prices vary significantly by location
• Consider mail-order pharmacies, which may offer lower per-unit prices on 90-day supplies
• Explore PAP advocacy services like Prescription Hope or The Rx Advocates if cost remains prohibitive

Medicare Patients: Special Considerations

Medicare Part D covers Zenpep on most formularies, but the copay can be significant depending on the tier placement and coverage stage:

• Low-Income Subsidy (LIS/Extra Help): For patients who meet income requirements, LIS can dramatically reduce Part D copays. Refer eligible patients to the Social Security Administration to apply.
• State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs: Some states offer additional assistance for Medicare beneficiaries with high drug costs. Check with your state's Medicaid office for eligibility.
• Note: Manufacturer savings cards (Z-Save®, CF Support Program) are NOT valid for Medicare patients. GoodRx and discount cards may be options when the discounted cash price is lower than the Medicare copay — patients may choose to pay out of pocket rather than through Part D in these cases.

Practice-Level Recommendations for Addressing Zenpep Cost

1. Screen for cost barriers at every PERT-related visit. Ask: "Are you able to fill your Zenpep prescription consistently?" or "Have you had to skip doses because of cost?"
2. Enroll commercially insured patients in Z-Save® at the first visit. Don't wait for the patient to find this on their own. Many patients are unaware that manufacturer savings programs exist.
3. Prescribe 90-day supplies when appropriate. Many insurance plans charge lower copays for mail-order 90-day fills compared to three monthly retail fills.
4. For unaffordable cases, consider PERT product switch. If Zenpep is financially prohibitive even with all savings programs, evaluate whether an alternative PERT (Creon, Pancreaze) has better formulary placement on the patient's specific insurance plan. A tier 2 Creon may be more affordable than a tier 4 Zenpep for some patients.
5. Direct patients to medfinder for pharmacy availability searches. Cost and access are linked — a patient who can't find Zenpep locally may also be paying excess transportation costs or missing doses. medfinder for providers helps patients locate pharmacies with stock and compare options.

The Bottom Line

Every provider who prescribes Zenpep should have a working knowledge of the savings programs available to their patients. The Z-Save® program and CF Support Program can dramatically reduce out-of-pocket costs for commercially insured patients, while HealthWell and GoodRx serve as important backstops for others. For the patient-facing version of this information, point patients to our patient guide to saving money on Zenpep.