New research from the health policy nonprofit KFF found that one in eight adults say they have taken a GLP-1 agonist, the obesity and diabetes medications that include Ozempic, Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Among those surveyed, 12 percent said they had used a GLP-1 agonist, with six percent saying they were currently using one. The majority – 62% – said they used the drugs to treat a chronic illness such as diabetes or heart disease, while the remaining 38% took the drugs just to lose weight.
Nearly half of participants with diabetes – four in 10 – said they had used a GLP-1 agonist.
GLP-1 agonists are indicated for the treatment of people who have diabetes, obesity, or are at risk for incidents related to cardiovascular disease. The off-label use of cosmetic weight loss medications has sparked widespread interest.
Awareness of these drugs appeared to be relatively high, with a third saying they had heard “a lot” about the medicines and 27 percent saying they had heard “some”. Older, wealthier adults and those with chronic illnesses were more likely to have heard about GLP-1 agonists.
About 80 percent said they received a GLP-1 agonist through their primary care provider or a specialist. Another 23 percent said they purchased their medications from an online supplier, a medical spa or “elsewhere.”
Several GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Trulicity, are currently in shortage, with the Food and Drug Administration reporting the reason as an increase in demand.
Survey participants were also asked whether they believed Medicare should cover GLP-1 agonists. The federal healthcare program is prohibited from covering weight-loss drugs, although the recent approval of the weight-loss drug Wegovy for cardiovascular disease now means that Medicare beneficiaries can access the drug.
A previous KFF analysis indicated that one in four beneficiaries with obesity could get Weogvy after its expanded approval.
In total, 61 percent said Medicare should cover GLP-1 agonists to treat obesity. Their views remained effectively unchanged after being informed of Medicare’s arguments against obesity drug coverage, such as the possibility that premiums would increase coverage would put financial pressure on the government program.
O KFF Survey was carried out between April 23 and May 1, including a sample of 1,479 North American adults.
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