According to a recent analysis by experts at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, almost half of the adult population in the United States may qualify for a relatively new anti-obesity medication. Given that 137 million persons in the United States may be eligible for semaglutide based on health criteria, the medication—which also treats diabetes and cardiovascular disease—could see a sharp increase in use.
“Ensuring equitable access to these effective but high-cost medications, as well as supporting individuals so that they can stay on the therapy long-term, should be a priority for our clinicians and policymakers,” says Dhruv S. Kazi, associate director of the center’s Center for Outcomes Research, in a statement obtained by the Harvard Gazette. The medication lowers appetite and increases insulin production, which can help control weight and regulate blood sugar levels. Its top sales in 2023, however, show that it is beneficial for more than just diabetes treatment; quickly mounting data suggests that it is also beneficial for other illnesses like sleep apnea and some forms of heart failure, all of which might increase its market share in the pharmaceutical industry.
Kazi and Ivy Shi, a BIDMC internal medicine resident, used information from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to conduct an analysis. The team identified people who might be eligible for semaglutide by analyzing data from more than 25,000 participants. Their findings have significant implications: of the eligible U.S. adults, 35 million may use it for diabetic treatment, 129.2 million may use it for weight loss, and 8.9 million may use it to prevent cardiovascular disease. “The large number of U.S. adults eligible for semaglutide highlights its potential transformative impact on population health,” Shi told the Harvard Gazette.
The price of semaglutide may be a major barrier despite its potential. According to Shi, “more than half of the individuals who have taken these medications state the therapy was difficult to afford,” indicating that many patients have found the drug to be unaffordable. According to the Harvard Gazette, among those who qualify for the medication, there are 26.8 million people with Medicare, 13.8 million with Medicaid, and a significant 61.1 million with commercial insurance.
Reputable researchers Sadiya S. Khan from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and Robert W. Yeh, Jennifer E. Ho, and Issa Dahabreh from BIDMC back the study. In order to manage a potential shift in the treatment of prevalent health concerns in the United States, policymakers and healthcare providers should take this research into account when planning resource allocation, price, and coverage as the demand for semaglutide increases.
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