Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: The boom in the anti-obesity drug market, particularly the rise of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1), highlights the recent increase in demand and commercial interest across markets. This has prompted an assessment of how obesity treatments are prioritised relative to other conditions. This study investigated reimbursement trends for GLP-1 and other emerging anti-obesity drugs across seven key markets (England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, France, Germany, and Australia), comparing reimbursement indications, population limitations, and restrictions in prescribing.
METHODS: Semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide were assessed in their indications for Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Data from health technology assessment websites were sourced for each market (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], England; Scottish Medicines Consortium [SMC], Scotland; National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics [NCPE], Ireland; Canada’s Drug Agency [CDA], Canada; Haute Autorité de Santé [HAS], France; Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss [G-BA], Germany; Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee [PBAC], Australia) until June 2025. Reported data included date of reimbursement decision, type of reimbursement (restricted, full, or not reimbursed), indication (obesity, diabetes), and restrictions in prescribing (such as restrictions on BMI, or requiring lifestyle changes).
RESULTS: NICE and SMC had the highest rate of positive recommendations for obesity across all three drugs (100%). PBAC, G-BA, and CDA had the lowest rate for obesity (0%), but had varying success rates in Type 2 diabetes (33%, 100%, and 33%, respectively). NCPE had two pending appraisals, responsible for a low overall rate of positive recommendations across both indications (17%). HAS had a high overall success rate of 83% across both indications.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant advancements have been made in the anti-obesity drug market, with some markets more receptive than others. The UK and France may be more willing to reimburse newer waves of weight control drugs in development pipelines, such as oral GLP-1s and combination agonists, than Germany and Australia.