Compared to 2018, the average diabetes patient now spends 129% more for their medications — largely affecting patients taking GLP-1s like Ozempic and Mounjaro, according to GoodRx.
GLP-1 receptor agonists is a popular drug class, with most medications approved for Type 2 diabetes and a few indicated for chronic weight management. Demand is surging for off-label prescriptions of the powerful weight loss drugs, and intermittent shortages are not only causing frustrations among patients but fluctuating the costs.
Insurance companies are increasingly reducing their coverage for GLP-1s or removing them from formularies, which is causing "volatile" pricing changes, GoodRx said March 6.
In a new report, the drug cost tracking company found Mounjaro and Zepbound were the two GLP-1s with the highest price increases. Mounjaro is approved for Type 2 diabetes, and Zepbound is indicated for chronic weight management.
"The highest jump in what people paid [for this drug class] was from June 2023 to July 2023, when over the course of the month, the average out-of-pocket pay amount increased from $92 to $227," GoodRx said.
At the same time, the cost for older diabetes medications has remained stable, according to prescription fill data between 2018 and 2023.