Utilization of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in the Irish Healthcare System
Author(s)
Stephen Doran, BSc Pharm MSc1, Claire Gorry, BSc Pharm, PhD2, Sarah Clarke, BSc Pharm3, Michael Barry, MD PhD3.
1Health Service Executive Ireland, Dublin 8, Ireland, 2Dr, Health Service Executive Ireland, Dublin, Ireland, 3Medicines Management Programme, Dublin, Ireland.
1Health Service Executive Ireland, Dublin 8, Ireland, 2Dr, Health Service Executive Ireland, Dublin, Ireland, 3Medicines Management Programme, Dublin, Ireland.
OBJECTIVES: In the publically funded healthcare system in Ireland, a number of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) are currently reimbursed for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Liraglutide (Saxenda®) is the only GLP-1 RA currently reimbursed for weight management (under a health technology management approach with individual reimbursement applications required) since January 2023. This abstract describes the utilisation and expenditure on GLP1-RAs in the publically funded healthcare system in Ireland.
METHODS: Data was extracted from the Health Service Executive-Primary Care Reimbursement Services national pharmacy claims databases, which include the General Medical Services (GMS), Drugs Payment (DP), and Long-Term Illness (LTI) schemes, from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024. People with diabetes mellitus (DM) have an entitlement to receive reimbursed medicines, including GLP-1 RAs, used for the management of DM under the LTI scheme, at no cost to the individual. Data for GLP-1 RA usage (liraglutide, semaglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide) was combined across the LTI/DP/GMS schemes. Analysis was performed in Microsoft Excel™.
RESULTS: Between January 2022 and December 2024, the number of individuals in receipt of a GLP-1 RA increased from approximately 21,400 to 51,800. Between January 2022 and December 2024, total monthly expenditure on GLP-1 RAs increased from approximately €3.25 million to €7.46 million. Total expenditure was approximately €45.94 million in 2022, €61.31 million in 2023, and rising again to €78.78 million in 2024. Semaglutide (Ozempic®) accounted for the majority of utilisation and expenditure on GLP-1 RAs.
CONCLUSIONS: The number of individuals in receipt of a GLP-1 RA in Ireland has increased by 142% between January 2022 and December 2024. Comparing total monthly expenditure in January 2022 and December 2024, there has been an increase in expenditure of 129.5%. Total annual expenditure has increased by 71.5% between 2022 and 2024. Data collected may serve to inform future health technology assessments and reimbursement decisions.
METHODS: Data was extracted from the Health Service Executive-Primary Care Reimbursement Services national pharmacy claims databases, which include the General Medical Services (GMS), Drugs Payment (DP), and Long-Term Illness (LTI) schemes, from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024. People with diabetes mellitus (DM) have an entitlement to receive reimbursed medicines, including GLP-1 RAs, used for the management of DM under the LTI scheme, at no cost to the individual. Data for GLP-1 RA usage (liraglutide, semaglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide) was combined across the LTI/DP/GMS schemes. Analysis was performed in Microsoft Excel™.
RESULTS: Between January 2022 and December 2024, the number of individuals in receipt of a GLP-1 RA increased from approximately 21,400 to 51,800. Between January 2022 and December 2024, total monthly expenditure on GLP-1 RAs increased from approximately €3.25 million to €7.46 million. Total expenditure was approximately €45.94 million in 2022, €61.31 million in 2023, and rising again to €78.78 million in 2024. Semaglutide (Ozempic®) accounted for the majority of utilisation and expenditure on GLP-1 RAs.
CONCLUSIONS: The number of individuals in receipt of a GLP-1 RA in Ireland has increased by 142% between January 2022 and December 2024. Comparing total monthly expenditure in January 2022 and December 2024, there has been an increase in expenditure of 129.5%. Total annual expenditure has increased by 71.5% between 2022 and 2024. Data collected may serve to inform future health technology assessments and reimbursement decisions.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
HPR235
Topic
Health Policy & Regulatory, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Real World Data & Information Systems
Topic Subcategory
Public Spending & National Health Expenditures
Disease
Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity), No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas