December 18, 2024

An Employer's Practical Playbook for Treating Obesity

For employers seeking to align their weight management strategy with the latest evidence, this resource offers recommendations on creating a comprehensive benefits package to treat obesity, including behavior-based interventions and pharmacological and surgical treatment.

Full Series icon_right_chevron_dark

What Are Anti-obesity Medications?

The FDA has approved the use of six medications for long-term treatment of overweight and obesity:

Orlistat* (Xenical®);
Liraglutide (Saxenda®);
Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia®);
Naltrexone HCl/bupropion HCl (Contrave®);
Semaglutide (Wegovy®); and
Tirzepatide (Zepbound®).

In addition to the medications listed above, the FDA has approved two medications, Myalept® and Imcivree®, for individuals with rare obesity syndromes. Furthermore, the FDA has approved weight loss medications for short-term use only (less than 12 weeks). These include the generic drugs phentermine and diethylpropion.¹

There are also numerous FDA-approved medications that may be prescribed off-label to treat overweight or obesity because they have demonstrated weight loss as a side effect. These include but aren’t limited to medications to treat diabetes -including GLP-1s like Mounjaro® and Ozempic®- as well as depression and seizures.

*A lower dose of the medication (60 mg) is available over the counter under the brand name Alli®

Which Anti-obesity Medications are GLP-1s?

GLP-1 agonists (GLP-1s) are a class of drugs that have been used to treat type 2 diabetes for years. Three have been approved to treat people with overweight or obesity without diabetes: Saxenda®, Wegovy® and Zepbound® (a medication that acts as both a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist). Numerous others are in the drug development pipeline, including oral forms of GLP-1s.²

How are GLP-1s Different from Other Anti-obesity Medications?

GLP-1s are categorically different from prior anti-obesity medications. They help patients lose notably more weight than other available anti-obesity medications, which is achieved through appetite suppression, improved blood sugar management and slowed stomach emptying.^3,4Recent data on the use of GLP-1s suggests positive effects beyond weight loss and diabetes control to also include cardiometabolic outcomes, leading some researchers to study its potential for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in specific populations, though more studies are need to assess the long-term impact and efficacy of GLP-1s.^5-8

For Whom are Anti-obesity Medications Indicated?

The six anti-obesity medications approved for long-term use are indicated for adults with a BMI ≥30 or BMI ≥27 with a weight-related comorbidity. Myalept® and Imcivree® are indicated for individuals with rare obesity syndromes.¹² Four medications (Orlistat®, Saxenda®, Qsymia® and Wegovy®) have also been approved for use in adolescents with overweight or obesity.^13-16 All anti-obesity medications are intended to be used as an adjunct to lifestyle interventions.

Why Should Employers Consider Providing Coverage for Anti-obesity Medications?

Many people with overweight and obesity cannot achieve clinically significant weight loss through lifestyle interventions alone. One explanation on why it’s so difficult is the set-point theory, which says that as people lose weight, appetite increases and metabolism slows in order to maintain the amount of fat our brain believes is necessary to sustain proper functioning.^14,15

For those who qualify, anti-obesity medications can be a useful tool alongside intensive behavioral interventions to help lose weight; clinical trials, along with studies of employees in the real world, show that people with overweight or obesity who take anti-obesity medication and engage in behavior change interventions achieve greater weight loss than those who engage in behavior change interventions alone.

What Is the Efficacy of Anti-obesity Medications in Adults?

While efficacy varies, clinical trials show that people who take anti-obesity medications are more likely to lose at least 5% of their body weight than those who take placebo. Among anti-obesity medications, the greatest weight loss is associated with Zepbound® (18% average weight loss), followed by Wegovy® (14.9% average weight loss).³ However, clinical trial data also reveals that about 10-15% of GLP-1 users were “nonresponders” to the treatment and lost less than 5% of their body weight.¹⁶

Among FDA-approved anti-obesity medications that are not GLP-1s, high-dose phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia®) was associated with the greatest weight loss; at 108 weeks – the longest study of this drug – those who took a higher dose of phentermine-topiramate lost 10.5% of their baseline weight.¹⁷

Specific information on the effectiveness of the six FDA-approved anti-obesity medications for non-syndromic obesity is included in the Appendix.

Beyond clinical trial data, the efficacy of anti-obesity medications has been evaluated in an employer population. Results from the study showed greater weight loss among those who received an anti-obesity medication and participated in an employer-based weight management program than those who participated in the weight management program alone. Participants who received the anti-obesity medication were more likely to lose 5% of their body weight and were more adherent to the weight management program than those who didn’t.¹⁸

Efficacy of Anti-obesity Medications in Adolescents

While the efficacy of anti-obesity medications in adolescents varies, studies of Orlistat®, Saxenda® and Qsymia® show that BMI decreased among those who took anti-obesity medications. Among adolescents who did not take anti-obesity medications, BMI either increased or did not change.^12,24,25 It is reported that several pharmaceutical companies are starting to explore testing the use of Mounjaro® and Saxenda® in children as young as age 6.²¹

What Is the Safety Profile of Anti-obesity Medications?

Side Effects

As with any drug, there are risks associated with anti-obesity medications. Clinical trial data show that side effects vary by medication but include dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea and constipation.²² All anti-obesity medications are contraindicated in pregnancy; other contraindications and precautions vary by drug type and age (adolescents vs. adults). In addition, emerging research indicates that individuals using GLP-1s may experience a greater risk of severe digestive issues, including pancreatitis, stomach paralysis and bowel obstructions.²³

Beyond physical side effects, as noted above, there is evidence to show that GLP-1s affect reward pathways, with some patients reporting a reduced desire to drink alcohol or use nicotine.²⁴As a result, researchers are investigating GLP-1s' potential for addressing reward system-related disorders, such as alcohol, nicotine and drug use, extending their potential utility beyond weight management, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.²⁵

Cardiovascular Safety

Beginning in 1997, several medications for weight loss were withdrawn from the market in the U.S. due to serious side effects, including adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Because of this, the FDA now requires approved medications to undergo post-marketing trials to assess cardiovascular effects; these studies are ongoing.²⁶ Thus far, clinical trial data assessing the efficacy of anti-obesity medications have demonstrated positive effects on cardiometabolic risk factors (e.g., cholesterol), and few adverse cardiovascular events have been reported.⁵^,27 In fact, recent studies have demonstrated broader cardiometabolic benefits of GLP-1s.^28,8 According to the results of the SELECT trial, use of semaglutide (Wegovy®) significantly decreased major adverse cardiovascular events, including non-fatal heart attack and stroke, by 20% among patients with overweight or obesity and cardiovascular disease without diabetes.⁷

Cancer Risk

In 2020, lorcaserin (Belviq®) was withdrawn after a safety clinical trial showed an increased occurrence of cancer in those taking the drug.²⁹ While some reports suggest an increased risk of pancreatic cancers or pancreatitis with use of GLP-1s, a meta-analysis of the literature found there was no statistically significant difference in pancreatic cancer risk associated with GLP-1s.³⁰ As with other FDA-approved medications, therefore, future studies are needed to assess long-term effects and associated risks of using these medications.

What Is the Utilization of Anti-obesity Medications?

While utilization of anti-obesity medications has historically been low, it has been quickly increasing in recent years - a trend which is expected to continue.³¹ Across Milliman’s 2024 book of business, weight loss drug utilization nearly doubled between from 2022 and 2023.³² Another claims analysis quantifying the increase in GLP-1 prescriptions for insured U.S. patients who do not have diabetes found a 2,082% rise in prescriptions from 2019 to 2022.³³

Due to increasing utilization, GLP-1s have been in short supply.34, 35 The continued demand for GLP-1s, coupled with their short supply, has led some patients to seek compounded versions of these medications, which the FDA has advised against due to safety concerns.³⁶

For more information on the factors driving increased utilization of GLP-1s and associated considerations, see Managing GLP-1 Medications and Related Costs.

What Factors Influence Anti-obesity Medication Utilization?

Numerous factors impact the utilization of anti-obesity medications, including coverage, patient demand, provider prescribing, costs and side effects:

Patient demand and provider beliefs: Growing awareness among the public and an increasing number of providers writing prescriptions for GLP-1s are driving growth in utilization; from July 2020 to March 2023, there was a 228% rise in the number of providers prescribing GLP-1s.³⁷ There is also growing awareness and acceptance that obesity is not merely a lifestyle issue but a disease caused by multiple factors.³⁸
Coverage: Findings from the Business Group’s 2025 Employer Health Care Strategy Survey reveal that about two-thirds (67%) of employer respondents provide coverage of GLP-1 drugs for the treatment of obesity.³⁹ Among pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), CVS Caremark includes Saxenda®, Wegovy®, Zepbound® and Qysmia® on its 2024 preferred drug list for anti-obesity medications, Optum Rx includes Saxenda® and Wegovy® on its 2024 select standard formulary and Express Scripts covers Wegovy® and Zepbound® on its 2024 national preferred formulary.^40-42 Future coverage of GLP-1s is uncertain; a survey of 502 U.S. employers shows that there is an increasing number of employers covering anti-obesity medications, including GLP-1 drugs, with coverage predicted to nearly double from 2023 to 2024, while other sources indicate that coverage may be narrowing, as some insurers stop coverage for GLP-1s in light of their skyrocketing utilization.^31,43,44
Costs: Although GLP-1s and other anti-obesity medications have been heralded for their potential to help people with obesity achieve clinically significant weight loss, the high costs of GLP-1s and the chronic nature of their use is presenting significant challenges for employers and patients alike, influencing access, coverage and utilization. The average cash price per month for GLP-1s approved for weight loss in 2024 was about $1,349 for Wegovy® and Saxenda® and up to $1,059.87 for Zepbound® - outside the U.S. news reporting indicates GLP-1 medications are priced much lower (e.g., cash price for Wegovy in Germany is $92).^45-47 According to analysis by Aon of prescription claims from 500 employers, utilization of weight loss drugs Saxenda®, Wegovy® and Rybelsus®, along with off-label usage of Ozempic for weight loss, increased employer health care costs by more than $300 per worker in 2023. The price of non-GLP anti-obesity medications is much lower, at $225 per month for Xenical®, $304 for Contrave® and $134 for Qysmia®.^45,46,48-51
Side effects: There are several well-known side effects of GLP-1s, including nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headaches and back pain.⁵² Anecdotally, there is evidence to suggest that these side effects may play a role in patient non-adherence to GLP-1s though more research is needed to better understand this.⁵² An initial study indicated that 68% of patients stopped using GLP-1s within a year, but whether this is due to side effects, medication costs, patient expectations, or a combination of these factors is unknown.^53,54

What Should Employers Consider When Assessing and Implementing Coverage for Anti-obesity Medications?

Do you already include pharmacotherapy in your company’s weight management strategy? Check your summary plan description(s) to confirm whether your plan(s) include coverage of anti-obesity medications, including GLP-1s for weight loss, as these medications are not standard across PBM formularies. If you currently cover anti-obesity medications or wish to in the future, consider including multiple agents on your formulary. For example, in its Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program carrier letter, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the chief human resource agency for the federal government, indicated that “carriers must cover at least one anti-obesity drug from the GLP-1 class for weight loss and cover at least two additional oral anti-obesity drug options.”⁵⁵ Covering multiple agents is important because while employees with overweight or obesity may respond favorably to at least one drug, the response may vary from medication to medication. Furthermore, while GLP-1s can be highly efficacious, other types of anti-obesity medications can also help patients achieve clinically significant weight loss.
What is the current cost and utilization of off-label prescribing? Work with your partners to determine utilization and costs associated with medications prescribed off label for weight loss, as numerous drugs have been approved by the FDA to treat other conditions (such as type 2 diabetes) and may be used to help patients lose weight. While some of this off-label prescribing may be thoughtful and appropriate, there are other instances where it is not. Clarifying the cost and utilization of off-label use may help organizations that do not currently cover anti-obesity medications understand the implications of doing so. It may also help with the decision to implement potential strategies to promote appropriate use.
What type of utilization management tools should be implemented to ensure appropriate use? Ask existing or prospective vendor partners, including virtual weight management programs, about their processes to promote appropriate access and utilization of anti-obesity medications, including if they require biometric testing to determine if patients are candidates for pharmacotherapy. Consider implementing step therapy based on efficacy and cost when covering multiple medications. To manage utilization of GLP-1s in 2025, 87% of surveyed employers will require prior authorization, 51% will have a BMI threshold and/or have comorbidities beyond FDA indication and 31% will implement a step therapy approach.³⁹
What are the health equity impacts? Even when providing coverage for anti-obesity drugs, high out-of-pocket costs may render them unattainable for lower-income individuals. It is important for employers to develop a strategy to address disparities in access to these medications.

How might anti-obesity-medications, including GLP-1s, impact bariatric surgery criteria? Despite recent research showing a decrease in bariatric surgeries in the U.S. from 2022 to 2023, possibly due to the growing use of anti-obesity medications, employers should still maintain coverage for bariatric surgery. Speak with vendor partners, including bariatric surgery CEOs, about if and how anti-obesity medications should be incorporated into pre-authorization guidelines for bariatric surgery.
Are your corresponding communications stigma-free? Employers and partners should eliminate stigmatizing language and imagery in all program materials, including evaluating existing and future content for issues like headless images of individuals who have obesity, associations of character or intelligence with body weight, derogatory language or inappropriate humor.

1 | STOP Obesity Alliance. Developing a Comprehensive Benefit for Outcomes-based Obesity Treatment in Adults. https://stop.publichealth.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs4356/files/2022-02/comprehensive_obesity_care_v._9.1.21.pdf. Accessed July 28, 2022.
2 | Beaney A. Obesity: Six trials to watch over the next 12 months. Clinical Trials Arena. https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/features/obesity-trials-to-watch/?cf-view&cf-closed. Accessed December 3, 2023.
3 | Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. NEJM. 2021;384(11):989-1002.
4 | Ajmera R, Davidson K. GLP-1 medications for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. Healthline. August 15, 2023. https://www.healthline.com/health/weight-loss/glp1-for-weight-loss. Accessed February 9, 2024.
5 | Ussher JR, Drucker DJ. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists: cardiovascular benefits and mechanisms of action. Nature Reviews Cardiology. 2023/07/01 2023;20(7):463-474. doi:10.1038/s41569-023-00849-3
6 | Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine. 2023;doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2307563
7 | Saha A. Semaglutide Effects on Cardiovascular Outcomes in People With Overweight or Obesity - SELECT. American College of Cardiology. https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Clinical-Trials/2023/11/09/15/04/select#:~:text=The%20SELECT%20trial%20showed%20that,and%20stroke%20compared%20with%20placebo. Accessed December 3, 2023.
8 | Bertoccini L, Baroni MG. GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: New insights and opportunities for cardiovascular protection. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2021;1307:193-212.
9 | Chakhtoura M, Haber R, Ghezzawi M, Rhayem C, Tcheroyan R, Mantzoros CS. Pharmacotherapy of obesity: an update on the available medications and drugs under investigation. eClinicalMedicine. 2023;58:101882. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101882
10 | STOP Obesity Alliance. Pharmacotherapy for adolescent obesity. May 1, 2020. https://stop.publichealth.gwu.edu/LFD-apr20. Accessed October 24, 2022.
11 | Novo Nordisk. How Saxenda® works. https://www.saxenda.com/about-saxenda/how-it-works.html. Accessed June 30, 2022.
12 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves treatment for chronic weight management in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older. June 27, 2022. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-treatment-chronic-weight-management-pediatric-patients-aged-12-years-and-older. Accessed June 30, 2022.
13 | Akshay Syal MD. What to know about weight loss drugs for teens. NBC News. 2023.
14 | Woods SC. Body weight “set point.” What we know and what we don’t know. https://4617c1smqldcqsat27z78x17-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/Body_Weight_Set_Point_online.pdf. Accessed August 19, 2022.
15 | Polidori D, Sanghvi A, Seeley RJ, Hall KD. How strongly does appetite counter weight loss? Quantification of the feedback control of human energy intake. Obesity. 2016;24(11):2289-95.
16 | Aleccia J. GLP-1 nonresponders: Up to 1 in 5 people don’t lose weight. AP News. November 23, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/wegovy-zepbound-obesity-drug-nonresponder-glp1-9f8ab517f26ccc6d2d32ce3e829ba8ff. Accessed December 2, 2024.
17 | Garvey WT, Ryan DH, Look M, et al. Two-year sustained weight loss and metabolic benefits with controlled-release phentermine/topiramate in obese and overweight adults (SEQUEL): a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 extension study. Am J Clin Nutr. Feb 2012;95(2):297-308.
18 | Pantalone KM, Smolarz BG, Ramasamy A, et al. Effectiveness of Combining Antiobesity Medication With an Employer-Based Weight Management Program for Treatment of Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open. 2021;4(7)
19 | Chanoine J-P, Hampl S, Jensen C, Boldrin M, Hauptman J. Effect of orlistat on weight and body composition in obese sdolescents: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2005;293(23):2873-2883.
20 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves weight management drug for patients aged 12 and older. June 15, 2021. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-weight-management-drug-patients-aged-12-and-older. Accessed June 30, 2022.
21 | Muller M. Ozempic for kids? Drugmakers test weight-loss shots for 6-year-olds. Bloomberg. October 20, 2023. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-20/ozempic-maker-is-testing-weight-loss-drugs-for-kids. Accessed October 20, 2023.
22 | Filippatos TD, Panagiotopoulou TV, Elisaf MS. Adverse Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. Rev Diabet Stud. Fall-Winter 2014;11(3-4):202-30. doi:10.1900/rds.2014.11.202
23 | Goodman B. Researchers link popular weight loss drugs to serious digestive problems for ‘hundreds of thousands’ worldwide. CNN Health. October 5, 2023. https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/05/health/weight-loss-drugs-serious-digestive-problems-study/index.html. Accessed October 11, 2023.
24 | Klausen MK, Thomsen M, Wortwein G, Fink‐Jensen A. The role of glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) in addictive disorders. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2022;179(4):625-641. doi:10.1111/bph.15677
25 | Eren-Yazicioglu CY, Yigit A, Dogruoz RE, Yapici-Eser H. Can GLP-1 Be a Target for Reward System Related Disorders? A Qualitative Synthesis and Systematic Review Analysis of Studies on Palatable Food, Drugs of Abuse, and Alcohol. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. 2021;14doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2020.614884
26 | Chao AM, Wadden TA, Berkowitz RI, Quigley K, Silvestry F. The risk of cardiovascular complications with current obesity drugs. Expert Opin Drug Saf. Sep 2020;19(9):1095-1104.
27 | Hasegawa Y, Hori M, Nakagami T, Harada-Shiba M, Uchigata Y. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists reduced the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with statins. Journal of Clinical Lipidology. 2018/01/01/ 2018;12(1):62-69.e1. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacl.2017.11.006
28 | Zoler ML. Semaglutide cuts cardiovascular events in landmark trial. Medscape. August 8, 2023. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/995270. Accessed October 17, 2023.
29 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA requests the withdrawal of the weight-loss drug Belviq, Belviq XR (lorcaserin) from the market. January 14, 2022. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/fda-drug-safety-podcasts/fda-requests-withdrawal-weight-loss-drug-belviq-belviq-xr-lorcaserin-market. Accessed September 21, 2022.
30 | Cao C, Yang S, Zhou Z. GLP-1 receptor agonists and pancreatic safety concerns in type 2 diabetic patients: data from cardiovascular outcome trials. Endocrine. Jun 2020;68(3):518-525. doi:10.1007/s12020-020-02223-6
31 | CVS Health. The drug trend report - 2021 cost savings data. https://payorsolutions.cvshealth.com/2021-drug-trend-report/overall-trend. Accessed July 25, 2022.
32 | Anderson B, Bayram R, Dressler A, Guieb M, Tarimela N. Milliman Report: Commercial drug trends 2024 release. Milliman. July 24, 2024. https://www.milliman.com/-/media/milliman/pdfs/2024-articles/7-23-24_2024-commercial-drug-trend-study.ashx. Accessed November 25, 2024.
33 | Khan T. Trend snapshot: The ozempic weight loss craze continues as shortages persist. Komodo Health. July 25, 2023. https://www.komodohealth.com/perspectives/trend-snapshot-the-ozempic-weight-loss-craze-continues-as-shortages-persist/. Accessed October 20, 2023.
34 | Young S. Demand for GLP-1s has outstripped supply, leaving some patients with diabetes behind. Healthcare Brew. July 28, 2023. https://www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2023/07/28/demand-for-glp-1s-has-outstripped-supply-leaving-some-patients-with-diabetes-behind. Accessed October 18, 2023.
35 | Blum D. The Wegovy shortage drags On, leaving patients in limbo. The New York Times. October 5, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/well/live/wegovy-shortage-ozempic-fda.html. Accessed January 17, 2024.
36 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Medications Containing Semaglutide Marketed for Type 2 Diabetes or Weight Loss. October 11, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/medications-containing-semaglutide-marketed-type-2-diabetes-or-weight-loss. Accessed October 24, 2023.
37 | Glass R, Foster E. New demand in an old market: How the launch of Mounjaro transformed the GLP-1 market. IQVIA. September 5, 2023. https://www.iqvia.com/locations/united-states/blogs/2023/08/new-demand-in-an-old-market. Accessed October 23, 2023.
38 | Eitelwein O, Fricker R, Freytag C, Baid H. Drugs alone are not enough to solve the obesity epidemic. OliverWyman. October 2023. https://www.oliverwyman.com/our-expertise/perspectives/health/2023/oct/drugs-alone-are-not-enough-to-solve-the-obesity-epidemic.html. Accessed October 27, 2023.
39 | Business Group on Health. 2025 Employer Health Care Strategy Survey. https://www.businessgrouphealth.org/resources/2025-employer-health-care-strategy-survey-intro. Accessed November 7, 2024.
40 | CVS Caremark. Preferred drug list. October 2024. https://www.caremark.com/portal/asset/siemens_dl.pdf. Accessed November 19, 2024.
41 | Optum Rx. 2024 Select Standard Formulary. January 1, 2024. https://stg2-www.optum.com/content/dam/o4-dam/resources/pdfs/forms/2024-select-standard-formulary.pdf. Accessed November 19, 2024.
42 | Evernorth. 2024 Express Scripts National preferred Formulary List. https://group-health.com/getmedia/a0c0d9ea-7105-462f-90d8-7eb16bc78fa2/2024-Express-Scripts-National-Preferred-Formulary-List-7-8-24.pdf. Accessed November 19, 2024.
43 | Reuters. U.S. employers covering weight-loss drugs could nearly double in 2024 - survey. October 10, 2023. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-employers-covering-weight-loss-drugs-could-nearly-double-2024-survey-2023-10-09/. Accessed October 20, 2023.
44 | Cassata C. Insurance providers are halting coverage of ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs. Healthline. August 8, 2023. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/insurance-providers-are-halting-coverage-of-ozempic-and-other-glp-1-drugs. Accessed October 27, 2023
45 | Virta Health. Results from New Executive Survey on GLP-1s and Lifestyle Intervention Programs: How Health Plan Leaders Are Handling the GLP-1 Cost Crisis [Survey Report]. July 2023. https://www.virtahealth.com/info/glp-1-survey. Accessed December 8, 2023.
46 | Lerner L. How much does Zepbound cost without insurance? Optum Perks Blog. October 1, 2024. https://perks.optum.com/blog/zepbound-cost-without-insurance. Accessed November 22, 2024.
47 | Drenon B, Sherman N. Ozempic and Wegovy drugmaker treating US as its ‘cash cow’, Sanders says. BBC News. September 24, 2024. https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c04p5916k4xt. Accessed November 22, 2024.
48 | Defino D. How much the new weight loss drug Wegovy will cost (and how to save). GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/wegovy/wegovy-for-weight-loss-cost-coverage. Accessed July 25, 2022.
49 | Qsymia. Taking Qsymia. 2023. https://qsymia.com/patient/resources/taking-qsymia. Accessed December 8, 2023.
50 | WebMDRx. Contrave Coupons, Prices, and Savings Card. 2023. https://rx.webmd.com/drug-prices/contrave. Accessed December 8, 2023.
51 | WebMDRx. Xenical Coupons, Prices, and Savings Card. 2023. https://rx.webmd.com/drug-prices/xenical. Accessed December 8, 2023.
52 | Sodhi M, Rezaeianzadeh R, Kezouh A, Etminan M. Risk of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events Associated With Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss. JAMA. Nov 14 2023;330(18):1795-1797. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.19574
53 | Myshko D. Real-World Study Finds Low Patient Adherence for Weight Loss Drugs. Forumalry Watch. July 14, 2023. https://www.formularywatch.com/view/real-world-study-finds-low-patient-adherence-for-weight-loss-drugs. Accessed October 31, 2023.
54 | Prime Therapeutics. Real-world analysis of GLP-1a drugs for weight loss finds low adherence and increased cost in first year. https://www.primetherapeutics.com/news/real-world-analysis-of-glp-1a-drugs-for-weight-loss-finds-low-adherence-and-increased-cost-in-first-year/. Accessed December 19, 2023.
55 | U.S. Office of Personnel Management Healthcare and Insurance. Carrier Letter 23-01 Prevention and Treatment of Obesity. January 18, 2023. https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/carriers/fehb/2023/2023-01.pdf. Accessed January 17 2024.