Rising Demand, New Indications Put GLP-1s in the Spotlight | Asembia 2025

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are used mainly to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, these medications are poised for a significant expansion. Current research is exploring their potential in a wide range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, osteoarthritis, substance use disorders, and longevity. As these indications grow, treating a patient solely for obesity will become increasingly rare, according to Becky Davis, principal at Charles River Associates.

Davis said that this evolution is expected to shift payer behavior. Broader indications and growing demand may move GLP-1s onto standard benefit plans, allowing more patients access through prescriptions. This increased access will also bring heightened pressure to control healthcare costs. As a result, the market for GLP-1s will likely become more competitive, pushing manufacturers and payers to adapt.

Drug Topics® sat down with Davis at Asembia’s AXS25 Summit, held April 27 to May 1 in Las Vegas, Nevada, to discuss the current disease states that investigators are researching for GLP-1s and how the expansion of indications for these medications will impact access and affordability for patients.

“We know that the comorbidity burden is significantly higher for patients with obesity,” Davis said. “As indications expand, it's going to be rare to just treat a patient for obesity. With this, I think we'll see payers move coverage of GLP-1s more to the standard benefit. That should translate into more patients receiving prescriptions. But with that comes the increased pressure to control costs, so it will likely make the category more competitive and payers [will] need to navigate their management.”

Read More of Our Coverage: Asembia Specialty Pharmacy Summit

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