Abstract Body: Introduction: While originally developed for glucose lowering, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are effective for weight loss. With the recent FDA approval of GLP-1 RAs for weight management in 2021 and broadening indications for use, trends of GLP-1 RA use, self-payment, and total associated payments among people without diabetes has important clinical and policy implications.
Aim: We sought to describe trends of GLP-1 RA use, self-payments, and total associated payments among people without diabetes in the US from 2017 to 2022.
Methods: We analyzed data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) from 2017-2022 for individuals without diabetes who reported use of GLP-1 RA. MEPS is conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and uses survey instruments to collect demographic, health, and economic information on a nationally representative noninstitutionalized US population. Prescription use and payments were determined by self-report and confirmed with respondent pharmacy. The total payment and out-of-pocket payment for GLP-1 RA were averaged per person for each data year.
Results: A total of 148 participants representing 2,019,359 US adults without diabetes using GLP-1 RA were included. Mean (SD) age was 47.8 (14.7) years and 64.4% were female. The total weighted number of adults without diabetes who were prescribed GLP-1 RA increased 646% from 114,619 in 2017 to 854,728 in 2022 (p-value for trend < 0.01) with the greatest absolute increase between 2021-2022 (Figure). The average total payment increased from $2651 in 2017 to $6811 in 2022. The average self-payment decreased from $212 in 2017 to $157 in 2022. However, the changes were not statistically significant (p=0.3 for total payment; p=0.6 for self-payment).
Conclusion: GLP-1 RA use among people without diabetes has increased significantly between 2017-2022 with the greatest absolute increase following FDA approval for weight management in 2021.