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6mo ago

Access to Popular Weight-Loss Drugs Faces Challenges Amid Cost and Coverage Issues

While GLP-1 weight-loss medications show promising health benefits, high costs and limited insurance coverage create significant barriers for many individuals.

Healthy food next to an injectable semaglutide pen on a pink background. Participants in a recent survey indicated that they would prefer to lose weight by changing their diets, rather than taking weight loss medication such as semaglutide—the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.
Despite the ubiquitousness of injectable GLP-1 drugs indicated for people with obesity, most Americans wouldn’t take them, according to a September 2024 survey from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
A growing number of companies are considering paying for weight-loss drugs

Overview

  • GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy not only aid in weight loss but may also reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
  • A recent survey found that only 20% of large U.S. companies include these costly weight-loss drugs in their health plans, raising concerns about widening health disparities.
  • Compounded versions of these medications, which are not FDA-approved, provided a lower-cost option during shortages but face discontinuation as supply normalizes.
  • Patients like Janet McCaskill, who relied on compounded drugs due to high costs, now face uncertainty about continued access to affordable medication.
  • Experts emphasize the importance of following dosing schedules and maintaining a balanced diet and exercise routine when using GLP-1 drugs for effective results.