A new analysis of U.S. pharmacy claims reveals that only 25% of patients prescribed Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss continued taking the medications two years later. The study, which tracked 3,364 patients with obesity who received new prescriptions between January and December 2021, highlights a steady decline in the use of these GLP-1 receptor agonists over time.
The analysis noted that the high cost of over $1,000 per month and potential side effects like nausea may contribute to patients discontinuing use. Additionally, a significant portion of patients switched GLP-1 drugs during therapy, possibly due to insurance changes or drug shortages.
This trend is prompting a debate over the economic impact of these medications on patients, employers, and government health plans, with concerns about the sustainability of weight loss and long-term health outcomes.
