Navitus’ Sharon Faust talks about cost and access in the GLP-1 space

Navitus Health Solutions’ Pulse Survey questioned 2,000 Americans who are taking or have taken GLP-1 medications in the last two years. GLP-1s include semaglutide (Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss).

The survey found that 68% of those who responded said cost influenced their decision to start or continue with a GLP-1 medication. Additionally, 44% said their GLP-1 cost was higher than expected, and 24% said they pay more than $250 per prescription fill, including nearly 8% who pay $500 or more. Among respondents who stopped taking a GLP-1, cost was the reason cited most frequently, surpassing side effects and achieving a desired weight.

In an interview, Sharon Faust, chief pharmacy officer at Navitus Health Solutions, said that cost and access are still concerns for patients, despite a changing marketplace with lowered costs and direct-to-patient sales.