Fewer than two-thirds of patients prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists filled their prescriptions between January 2018 and September 2022, with patients citing high costs, insurance hurdles and potential racial bias as barriers to access.
The study, published Oct. 13 in the American Journal of Managed Care and led by researchers from Aurora-based University of Colorado Health, included 6,094 patients and 9,848 GLP-1 orders.
Here are five things to know from the study:
- Only 60.1% of GLP-1 prescriptions were filled, despite all patients having continuous insurance coverage during the study period.
- Fill rates varied by indication: Patients with obesity alone had the lowest fill rate at 37.2%, compared with 47.5% for diabetes alone and 64.6% for those with both conditions.
- Racial disparities in fill rates were evident: Non-Hispanic Black patients had a 55.3% fill rate and Hispanic patients had a 58.4% rate, compared with 60.9% for non-Hispanic White patients.
- Uninsured patients paid up to $900 per month in 2024 for a prescription. Insured patients paid an average of $71.90.
- Out-of-pocket costs varied by race among insured patients: $41.15 for non-Hispanic Black patients, $63.69 for Hispanic patients and $78.37 for non-Hispanic White patients.
