News Release

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept 26, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today that it has been granted approval of LillyMedicareAnswers, an "Outside Part D" Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program by the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG). OIG approval of LillyMedicareAnswers paves the way for the full implementation of the program, which will provide Zyprexa, Forteo and Humatrope to low-income seniors who are experiencing gaps in coverage.

"LillyMedicareAnswers will provide much needed assistance to low-income Medicare Part D enrolled patients who are most exposed to continuity-of-care issues," says Deirdre Connelly, President of Lilly's United States Operations. "The LillyMedicareAnswers program meshes with Medicare Part D, allowing the drug benefit to be successful while still meeting the needs of low-income patients who require more sophisticated medications. We are eager to continue working with the government to ensure the smooth implementation of the LillyMedicareAnswers program."

LillyMedicareAnswers will assist patients meeting the following criteria: Part D enrolled, income that is below 200% Federal Poverty Level (FPL), proof of low-income subsidy denial, and signed certification that the patient will not claim or submit any cost incurred or associated with the medicines provided under the new program towards their true-out-of-pocket-cost ("TrOOP") calculation or submit any claim for reimbursement for the medicines. Enrolled patients will have access to Forteo(R) (teriparatide [rDNA origin] injection), a treatment for osteoporosis, and Zyprexa(R) (olanzapine, Lilly), a treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Since the initial announcement regarding LillyMedicareAnswers, Lilly made the decision to include Humatrope(R) (somatropin (rDNA) for injection), a treatment for growth failure caused by pediatric growth hormone deficiency and other growth disorders, in the program as well.

In order to help cover the administrative costs of running the new program, patients will be charged a $25 administrative fee per 30-day supply of the drugs that will be shipped directly to the patient's home.

Lilly expects to finalize program operations through the fourth quarter of 2006. Enrollment may begin as early as December of 2006 with full operations commencing January 2007.

Lilly announced in May 2006 that it was undertaking several measures to assist needy Medicare patients while awaiting response from the OIG. These measures included extending the LillyAnswers(R) program until December 31, 2006 for patients who were previously enrolled in the program, but who did not sign up for a Medicare Part D Plan. Additionally, Lilly extended access to Forteo and Zyprexa for patients who were previously enrolled in the program and who did sign up for a Medicare Part D Plan.

Since announcing these efforts in May, Lilly has provided assistance to 11,000 Medicare-eligible patients.

Patients who have questions regarding the LillyMedicareAnswers program can visit www.lillymedicareanswers.com.

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.

C-LLY

    Zyprexa(R) (olanzapine, Lilly)
    Forteo(R) (teriparatide [rDNA origin] injection)
    Humatrope(R) (somatropin (rDNA) for injection)

    (Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO )

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

Edward Sagebiel of Eli Lilly and Company, +1-317-433-9899

http://www.prnewswire.com

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