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Study Reveals High Eligibility of U.S. Adults for Ozempic

Healthcare

Business Honor
21 November, 2024

Study shows over half of U.S. adults qualify for semaglutide, but high costs limit access

A new study released this week has highlighted the widespread potential of semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic. In fact, it is reported that over half of all adults in the United States could be prescribed these drugs. The study, conducted by scientists at Harvard and other institutions, estimated that 136.8 million Americans fit the criteria to receive semaglutide therapy, and most of those would be for obesity. In addition, 30 million individuals might benefit from its use in managing type 2 diabetes or reducing cardiovascular risks-three conditions often associated with premature death and substantial healthcare costs.

For instance, semaglutide belongs to a class of GLP-1 drugs that have proven quite highly effective for weight loss and are many steps more efficient than traditional diet and exercise. While also showing promise as a treatment for conditions such as substance use disorders, the medication is not without its side effects and doesn't work for everyone. Still, the new research, published in JAMA Cardiology, highlights massive potential for the drugs to have an impact on public health and pharmaceutical spending.

However, access remains a huge issue. Wegovy costs a pricey $1,300 per month, and Ozempic is around $1,000 a month. The high cost has proved unaffordable for many Americans, even those with insurance. This has spawned a gray market with cheaper versions, often fakes. Meanwhile, the manufacturer of these drugs, Novo Nordisk, has already raked in more than $50 billion this year.

Such a study would appear to suggest that if people could access semaglutide more easily, thousands of lives might be saved annually, preventing as many as 42,000 deaths attributed to complications from obesity and diabetes. The high price of these life-saving drugs, senator Bernie Sanders among lawmakers today suggested must come down to make these medications accessible to more eligible patients.