Trends in Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonist Prescribing in England: A Data Analysis Using NHS Prescription Episodes Statistics (PES)
Author(s)
Tammo C. Viering, PhD1, Timotheus Stremel, MSc1, Svitlana Schnaidt, MSc1, Christian Jacob, PhD1, Sebastian Braun, PhD1, Matthew Holdsworth, BSc2, ben holdsworth, BSc2.
1Cencora, Hannover, Germany, 2Cencora, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
1Cencora, Hannover, Germany, 2Cencora, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVES: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, established in diabetes care, have recently gained prominence in treating obesity. This study aimed to assess developments in GLP-1 prescribing in England.
METHODS: This retrospective data analysis was based on the Prescription Episodes Statistics (PES) database generated utilizing data submitted to the National Health Service Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). It includes current years of primary care prescription data from England, with patient-level demographics, prescription details, product specifics, and prescriber information. Adults (≥18 years) with at least one GLP-1 receptor agonist prescription (dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, lixisenatide, semaglutide, or trizepatide) from 2021 to 2024 were included. Descriptive analysis covered user counts, prescriptions, demographics, GLP-1 type, costs, and comedications. New users were identified by a one-year prescription-free period using British National Formulary (BNF) codes.
RESULTS: A total of 513,315 individuals received GLP-1 prescriptions during the observation period. The number of total annual users grew by 18.3% (2021: 239,150; 2024: 395,815), while new users increased annually by 16.0% (2021: 75,975; 2024: 118,715), although not consistently. Sex and age distribution remained stable, with slightly more women (50.1%) among new users and most initiations aged 55-64 years. Semaglutide use increased to 49.2%, dulaglutide usage declined to 26.9%, liraglutide nearly disappeared from the market (1.5%), and trizepatide reached 20.8% market share by 2024. Net ingredient costs (NIC) mirrored prescription trends, growing 17.0% annually (2021: £184.4 million; 2024: £295.4 million), with semaglutide accounting for the largest share in 2024 (48.4%). Most GLP-1 patients received comedication, primarily for diabetes, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases.
CONCLUSIONS: This analysis highlights significant growth in GLP-1 receptor agonist use and prescribing costs in England. Semaglutide has emerged as the dominant agent, with trizepatide showing similar potential, indicating shifting prescribing patterns. The findings underscore the growing significance of GLP-1 therapies in managing obesity and diabetes; a trend likely to continue.
METHODS: This retrospective data analysis was based on the Prescription Episodes Statistics (PES) database generated utilizing data submitted to the National Health Service Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). It includes current years of primary care prescription data from England, with patient-level demographics, prescription details, product specifics, and prescriber information. Adults (≥18 years) with at least one GLP-1 receptor agonist prescription (dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, lixisenatide, semaglutide, or trizepatide) from 2021 to 2024 were included. Descriptive analysis covered user counts, prescriptions, demographics, GLP-1 type, costs, and comedications. New users were identified by a one-year prescription-free period using British National Formulary (BNF) codes.
RESULTS: A total of 513,315 individuals received GLP-1 prescriptions during the observation period. The number of total annual users grew by 18.3% (2021: 239,150; 2024: 395,815), while new users increased annually by 16.0% (2021: 75,975; 2024: 118,715), although not consistently. Sex and age distribution remained stable, with slightly more women (50.1%) among new users and most initiations aged 55-64 years. Semaglutide use increased to 49.2%, dulaglutide usage declined to 26.9%, liraglutide nearly disappeared from the market (1.5%), and trizepatide reached 20.8% market share by 2024. Net ingredient costs (NIC) mirrored prescription trends, growing 17.0% annually (2021: £184.4 million; 2024: £295.4 million), with semaglutide accounting for the largest share in 2024 (48.4%). Most GLP-1 patients received comedication, primarily for diabetes, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases.
CONCLUSIONS: This analysis highlights significant growth in GLP-1 receptor agonist use and prescribing costs in England. Semaglutide has emerged as the dominant agent, with trizepatide showing similar potential, indicating shifting prescribing patterns. The findings underscore the growing significance of GLP-1 therapies in managing obesity and diabetes; a trend likely to continue.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH261
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity)