STUDY: Prescriptions of GLP-1 meds don't always fall in line with clinical need

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Prescriptions of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1s, have taken off in the past five years.  

A recent analysis, conducted by researchers from Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, of 19 million people who have used GLP-1 drugs to treat Type-2 diabetes or obesity (or both) suggests the rise in prescriptions between 2010 and 2024, among some groups up to 30%, aren’t just driven by a clinical need. 

"We see people with better insurance, more coverage, lower co-pay ... their use of GLP-1 [drugs] are much, much higher than people covered by insurance with less generous coverage or no insurance," said Hui Shao, associate professor of global health and author on the study.

A higher prescription rate of GLP-1s among people with private insurance points to "socioeconomic factors," the study reads. The study also notes a disparity in prescriptions by gender, with female-identifying patients making up a larger proportion of those prescribed the medications. 

GLP-1s are expensive — they can be thousands of dollars per year. And for now, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover the medication for weight loss alone.  

President Donald Trump said in November that he plans to negotiate lower prices on GLP-1s if purchased through Trump RX. Separate negotiations by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid promise to curb millions in out-of-pocket costs.  

"Many times, patients that medically need it — maybe those who are obese or have these other weight-related comorbidities — don't have easy access to the medication," said Megha Shah, associate professor, physician and study author. "There's a lot of inequity there."

The study notes a need for "policies to improve access."