Navitus’ Sharon Faust talks about trends in GLP-1 spend

Spending on non-specialty medications increased 5.6% to $57.83 per member per month in 2025 for clients of Navitus Health Solutions, with the large impact coming from GLP-1 drugs, according to the PBM’s 2025 Drug Trend Report.

GLP-1 medications that are used to treat diabetes remained among the most influential cost drivers in 2025, according to the Navitus report. Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide) was the single largest cost-growth agent in Navitus's commercial book of business, adding $2.40 per member per month. At the same time, Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic (semaglutie) and Eli Lilly’s Trulicity (dulaglutide) have decreased in costs.

Navitus’ chief pharmacy officer Sharon Faust said in an interview that most of Navitus clients do not currently cover GLP-1s for weight loss.

Still, as oral GLP-1 formulations come to market and indications expand into areas such as sleep apnea and metabolic liver disease, coverage pressure is expected to grow. “As prices go down and as there are new indications, there will be more demand for coverage,” Faust said. Navitus's DirectAccess program is designed to offer plan sponsors flexible, out-of-benefit options for managing GLP-1 access and cost.

“There will continue to be a lot of demand for GLP-1 drugs for weight loss,” Faust said. “There are additional conditions or diagnoses that continue to be studied, and we will continue to see demand for those.”