Our Deep Dive Into the Weight Loss Silver Bullet
They’re everywhere, from your pharmacies to your inbox. GLP-1s are hard to ignore, and with their growing popularity, that’s not likely to change anytime soon. They’ve become somewhat synonymous with a magic bullet for weight loss, and for (mostly) good reason. But they aren’t exclusively used for weight loss, and if you’re planning on staying ahead in the industry, it’s a good idea to make sure you know exactly what GLP-1s are all about.
What are GLP-1s?
GLP-1 is an abbreviation of Glucagon-like peptide-1, a type of peptide hormone that causes the pancreas to produce more insulin after meals.1 GLP-1 drugs are a class of medications that mimic that hormone, helping regulate blood sugar levels and making you feel full. They also suppress the release of glucagon, which raises blood sugar, and help prevent rapid spikes in blood glucose after meals. This makes them an effective option for treating diabetes—which is what they were originally intended for.
The History of GLP-1s
GLP-1s might be experiencing a spike in popularity now, but they were first discovered back in 1984.1 Originally developed as a solution to treat type 2 diabetes, the first GLP-1 to be approved by the FDA showed up in 2005. These GLP-1 drugs introduced to the market were Exenatide (Byetta) and Liraglutide (Victoza), which offered longer-lasting effects. These medications quickly gained attention for their ability to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.
During clinical trials and observed in actual use, an unexpected side effect emerged—many patients started to see consistent and significant weight loss. Originally, this was seen as an added bonus for diabetic patients who often struggle with obesity, but it soon became clear that GLP-1s could be further developed specifically for weight management.
This discovery led to the development of newer, longer-acting GLP-1 drugs like Semaglutide (sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), which have been approved for chronic weight management in individuals with or without type 2 diabetes.
The Rise in GLP-1 Popularity
Over the past few years, GLP-1s have gained significant attention, from a combination of media coverage, celebrity endorsements, and growing interest in effective weight management solutions. Where the drugs were once a niche treatment, we now see them becoming a mainstream health and wellness tool.
It isn’t hard to figure out why. By presenting a way to both control blood sugar and promote weight loss, GLP-1s are reshaping both diabetes and obesity treatment. The second use is what’s gained GLP-1s widespread media attention, only further amplified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when they approved certain GLP-1 medications specifically for chronic weight management. It’s one thing to have the support of the general public, but it’s another to have the FDA’s stamp of approval—and it opens the door for use beyond diabetes treatment.
The results? According to recent polls, around 1 in 8 U.S. adults report to having used a GLP-1.2 Further research shows that the number of overweight patients without diabetes using GLP-1s has risen by nearly 700%, from 2019 to 2023 alone.3 And that number is only set to rise further in the future.
Current GLP-1 Applications
Currently, medications such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) have been FDA-approved for improving blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes and for chronic weight management in individuals that are overweight or obese. Those are two reasons for employers and health plans to at least have GLP-1s on their radar. But as demand continues to skyrocket for these drugs, high price tags are following. Balancing access to GLP-1s with affordability is prompting discussions around coverage policies, prior authorizations, and value-based care models. As demand makes it difficult to keep the drugs stocked, stakeholders are closely watching how GLP-1s will continue to reshape the healthcare landscape.4
Future Considerations and Recent News
It’s no question that GLP-1s are going to be part of discussions moving forward. New studies have shown that GLP-1s could have potential to treat Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, osteoarthritis, and other disease. While there is no definitive evidence on the effectiveness of the drug as a treatment, the studies show a promising potential for GLP-1s as much more than just a weight loss drug.5
A recent (May 12) executive order from President Trump signals a potentially major shift in how drug prices—particularly for high-demand medications like GLP-1s—are set and regulated in the U.S. The administration is taking direct aim at American patients paying significantly more than consumers in other developed nations for the same drugs. For GLP-1 medications, which are already under scrutiny for their skyrocketing prices, this could result in substantial downward pressure on pricing. If enforced, the order could force manufacturers to either lower domestic prices to match those in peer countries or face aggressive regulatory and enforcement action.
The undeniable impact GLP-1s have had on the market, along with their potential for future growth, raises a number of questions around sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and care marketing. Employers and brokers both need to consider this moving forward—how can a health plan meet the demand for GLP-1 drugs while staying on budget?
By providing strategic oversight, data-driven insights, and flexibility of plan design, a TPA can play a crucial role in helping manage use of GLP-1s—and control any skyrocketing costs. As TPAs have access to extensive claims data and analytics, they’re well-equipped to identify trends in the use of GLP-1s and assess the best, most affordable path forward.
We might not know exactly where GLP-1s are headed in the future, but we know they’re not going anywhere. Get the jump on any rising costs by aligning with a key TPA partner for stability and success.
Reach out today to stay in the loop and let’s evaluate your own benefit design options.
Sources
- 1. https://innovativerxstrategies.com/rx-history-glp1s/
- 2. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2819949
- 3. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.q1645
- 4. https://medicine.iu.edu/blogs/bioethics/on-the-increase-in-use-of-glp-1s
- 5. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/five-unexpected-new-uses-for-glp-1-receptor-agonists