ATHENS, Ga. - A University of Georgia study found patients taking GLP-1 weight-loss medications are significantly less likely to stay on their prescriptions when out-of-pocket costs top $75 a month.
Weight loss medication adherence
By the numbers:
A University of Georgia study published in JAMA Health Forum found that three out of four patients stopped taking GLP-1 weight loss medications within a year, even at the lowest cost tier.
However, nonadherence jumped to over 80% once monthly out-of-pocket costs crossed $75.
The study analyzed 8,914 patients who started taking GLP-1s for weight loss over a 1.5-year period.
Cost of GLP-1 medication
What they're saying:
Researchers noted that federal programs cap out-of-pocket spending on GLP-1s for eligible Medicare patients at $50, but commercial insurers have not adopted similar caps.
Lead study author Eunhae Shin said people with employer-sponsored insurance may continue to face financial barriers.
The lowest adherence rate — around 17% — occurred among patients paying $168 or more monthly.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from a University of Georgia study published in JAMA Health Forum, which analyzed patient adherence data and included statements from lead study author Eunhae Shin.