Demographic Characteristics, Utilization Trends, and Access to GLP-1 Agonists Among Adults in a Nationally Representative Pharmacy Database
Author(s)
Krisha Patel, MPH1, Iyue Sung, PhD2, Andrew Teng, PhD3, Mohammed Deeb, MD4, Scott Chavers, PhD4;
1Walgreens Health, Pharmacoepidemiologist, Deerfield, IL, USA, 2Walgreens, Data Science, Deerfield, IL, USA, 3Walgreens, BioPharma Insights & Analytics, Deerfield, IL, USA, 4Walgreens, RWE Clinical Trials, Deerfield, IL, USA
1Walgreens Health, Pharmacoepidemiologist, Deerfield, IL, USA, 2Walgreens, Data Science, Deerfield, IL, USA, 3Walgreens, BioPharma Insights & Analytics, Deerfield, IL, USA, 4Walgreens, RWE Clinical Trials, Deerfield, IL, USA
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: GLP-1 agonists (GLP-1) uptake continues to increase and understanding this is important for informing health interventions. We aim to describe the growth of GLP-1s over 4 years via dispensing trends, demographics, and insurance coverage using a pharmacy database.
METHODS: Walgreens Pharmacy Database was analyzed retrospectively from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2024. Adults and prescription indications were identified by ATC and ICD-10 codes. Analyses categorized GLP-1 adults into three groups: diagnosed obesity, Type 2 diabetes (T2D), and weight management. Proportions of adults dispensed GLP-1s were calculated within indication group, and results were stratified by year.
RESULTS: From 2021 to 2024, GLP-1s consistently grew from 780k adults (2021) to 1.2 million (2022), to 1.9 million (2023), to 2.5 million (2024). GLP-1 utilization rose across indications; the proportion of adults diagnosed with obesity receiving GLP-1s increased from 6% (2021) to 8% (2022), to 12% (2023), to 15% (2024).The percentage of adults with T2D receiving GLP-1s significantly grew from 20% (2021) to 24% (2022), to 33% (2023), to 39% (2024). The percentage of adults dispensed GLP-1s for weight management increased modestly from 3% (2021) to 5% (2022), to 7% (2023), to 8% (2024). Over 4 years, GLP-1s were more likely to be dispensed for adults aged 40 to 64 (57-60%), females (59-63%), and those covered by Commercial insurance (60-63%). The proportion of GLP-1 recipients aged 18-39 increased from 7% to 14%, while usage among adults aged 65-74 and 75+ declined, 25% to 19% and 12% to 7%. Females accounted for most GLP-1 dispensations in ages 18-39 (73-74%). A slight decrease in adults covered by Medicare was also observed, from 30% to 27%.
CONCLUSIONS: We describe the growing utilization and shifting trends of GLP-1 adoption, which can inform health interventions to support these changes over time.
METHODS: Walgreens Pharmacy Database was analyzed retrospectively from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2024. Adults and prescription indications were identified by ATC and ICD-10 codes. Analyses categorized GLP-1 adults into three groups: diagnosed obesity, Type 2 diabetes (T2D), and weight management. Proportions of adults dispensed GLP-1s were calculated within indication group, and results were stratified by year.
RESULTS: From 2021 to 2024, GLP-1s consistently grew from 780k adults (2021) to 1.2 million (2022), to 1.9 million (2023), to 2.5 million (2024). GLP-1 utilization rose across indications; the proportion of adults diagnosed with obesity receiving GLP-1s increased from 6% (2021) to 8% (2022), to 12% (2023), to 15% (2024).The percentage of adults with T2D receiving GLP-1s significantly grew from 20% (2021) to 24% (2022), to 33% (2023), to 39% (2024). The percentage of adults dispensed GLP-1s for weight management increased modestly from 3% (2021) to 5% (2022), to 7% (2023), to 8% (2024). Over 4 years, GLP-1s were more likely to be dispensed for adults aged 40 to 64 (57-60%), females (59-63%), and those covered by Commercial insurance (60-63%). The proportion of GLP-1 recipients aged 18-39 increased from 7% to 14%, while usage among adults aged 65-74 and 75+ declined, 25% to 19% and 12% to 7%. Females accounted for most GLP-1 dispensations in ages 18-39 (73-74%). A slight decrease in adults covered by Medicare was also observed, from 30% to 27%.
CONCLUSIONS: We describe the growing utilization and shifting trends of GLP-1 adoption, which can inform health interventions to support these changes over time.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
EPH136
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Safety & Pharmacoepidemiology
Disease
SDC: Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity)