Almost 70% of GLP-1 Users Report Cost as Key Influence on Treatment Decisions

Nearly 7 in 10 Americans who have utilized a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication report that the cost of the drugs significantly influenced their decision to either begin or persist with treatment, according to a press release.¹

“GLP-1 medications offer meaningful health benefits, but this survey highlights trends and concerns related to medication cost and long-term accessibility to these drugs,” Sharon Faust, chief pharmacy officer at Navitus Health Solutions, said in the news release. “Difficult tradeoffs exist for patients and plan sponsors alike.”

According to the recently released Navitus Health Solutions Pulse Survey, which questioned 2000 US adults, rising out-of-pocket expenses and general affordability have emerged as the primary barriers to accessing these revolutionary therapies. This financial pressure is felt acutely by patients, with 44% of survey respondents stating their GLP-1 medication costs more than they initially expected.^1,2

READ MORE: GLP-1s Show Potential in Preventing Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

The financial burden on patients is underscored by the finding that 24% of users pay more than $250 per prescription, with nearly 8% paying $500 or more. This trend is particularly pronounced among those using GLP-1s for weight management, who are nearly twice as likely to pay upwards of $250 per fill compared with patients managing type 2 diabetes.

For pharmacists on the front lines, these costs are a frequent topic of conversation, especially as 60% of respondents reported knowing someone who wants to take a GLP-1 but simply cannot afford it. Furthermore, among individuals who stopped taking these medications, cost was cited as the most frequent reason for discontinuation, even surpassing the experience of adverse effects or the achievement of a desired weight goal.

The GLP-1 Boom

This surge in patient-level costs mirrors a massive increase in overall health care spending on this drug class. Research published by the American Medical Association and CDC indicates that total US spending on GLP-1s grew by more than 500% between 2018 and 2023, skyrocketing from $13.7 billion to $71.7 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars.^3,4

The spending growth was primarily driven by brand name medications such as Ozempic, which saw spending jump from $410 million to $26.4 billion in that 5-year period, and Mounjaro, which reached over $12.4 billion in spending by 2023. ³

The economic impact of these drugs is also reshaping the broader pharmaceutical landscape, with weight management therapies accounting for roughly half of the total increase in drug spend in 2024. Data from Evernorth reveals that GLP-1s for weight loss alone were a predominant driver, equating to 6.7% of total drug costs.⁵

Furthermore, utilization is expanding rapidly across all demographics, with a startling surge among younger generations. Children 14 years and younger saw an 84.6% jump in utilization from 2023 to 2024, and patients up to 29 years old saw a 67.8% increase. As demand continues to rise, traditional, lower-cost therapies for diabetes—such as metformin and insulin—have seen a decline in use as a result.

Faced with these high costs, many patients are exploring alternative channels to secure treatment, often bypassing traditional pharmacy benefits and insurance.¹

More than 83% of survey respondents believe individuals are turning to direct-to-consumer programs because traditional health care access is too expensive or difficult to navigate. Although nearly 40% of users have utilized manufacturer coupons or discount programs to offset costs, others have turned to lower-cost, compounded GLP-1 products that are not FDA-approved.

This shift raises significant safety concerns for the pharmacy community, as the FDA has noted issues with contamination, inconsistent dosing, and improper storage in some compounded products. Despite these risks, the pressure of affordability remains a primary driver for these alternative choices.^1,2

Managing the Use of GLP-1s

From a clinical perspective, managing these complex therapies outside of traditional systems can create dangerous gaps in coordinated care and patient oversight.² Evernorth research highlights that more than 50% of patients using GLP-1s for weight loss stopped their treatment within 12 months, frequently citing adverse effects and medication safety as the reasons for discontinuation.⁵

Pharmacists are viewed as critical partners in optimizing these therapies by providing necessary education on adverse effects, ensuring safe use, and implementing adherence strategies. Faust emphasized that the goal is to design benefit options that are both clinically appropriate and financially sustainable, suggesting that Americans may be willing to accept management strategies such as prior authorization if it ensures long-term access.^1,2

Without thoughtful and transparent benefit strategies, the affordability challenges for GLP-1 medications are expected to continue growing for both patients and plan sponsors.^1,2,5

“This isn’t simply a question of access or restriction,” concluded Faustin the news release. “It’s about designing options that are clinically appropriate and financially sustainable for everyone involved.”

READ MORE: Diabetes Resource Center

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REFERENCES

1. 68% of GLP-1 users say cost influenced their treatment decisions. News Release. Navitus Health Solutions. February 24, 2026. Accessed February 25, 2026. https://navitus.com/press-release/68-of-glp-1-users-say-cost-influenced-their-treatment-decisions/

2. Navitus Health Solutions research: Americans feel the pressure of expensive GLP-1s. Navitus Health Solutions. February 24, 2026. Accessed February 25, 2026. https://navitus.com/news-updates/navitus-health-solutions-research-americans-feel-the-pressure-of-expensive-glp-1s/

3. O’Reilly KB. Spending on GLP-1s has grown dramatically. Here are the details. American Medical Association. August 27, 2025. Accessed February 25, 2026. https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/behavioral-health/spending-glp-1s-has-grown-dramatically-here-are-details

4. Tsipas S, Khan T, Loustalot F, et al. Spending on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists among US adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(4):e252964. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.2964

5. Pharmacy in focus: navigating GLP-1 cost, demand and sustainability. Evernorth Health Services. March 25, 2025. Accessed February 25, 2026. https://www.evernorth.com/articles/navigating-glp-1-demand-cost-and-sustainability