Study Finds High Discontinuation Rates for GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
Despite the surge in demand for weight loss drugs known as GLP-1s, 58% of patients discontinue use before achieving a clinically meaningful health benefit, according to new research released by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.. The study, conducted by Blue Health Intelligence®, analyzed data from nearly 170,000 commercial health plan members since the first FDA approval for a weight-loss GLP-1 in 2014.
“When patients take medication, we want it to be safe and effective,” said Razia Hashmi MD, MPH, FAAFP, vice president of Clinical Affairs at BCBSA. “This study shows most people are unlikely to see lasting benefits. Unfortunately, weight loss isn’t as simple as filling a prescription.”
The study, the largest using commercial data on this topic to date, also found that 30% of patients discontinued use within the first month.
“This study underscores how much more we have to learn about these medications,” said Kim Keck, president and CEO of BCBSA. “The science behind these drugs is moving faster than our ability to truly understand which patients will benefit, how to sustain their success and how to pay for them. If we don’t get it right, we will drive up costs for everyone with little to show for it.”
In the United States, seven out of 10 adults and three out of 10 children are overweight or suffer from obesity. Providing these medications to all obese Americans at their current price could eventually cost over $1 trillion per year.
The BHI study revealed that most GLP-1 prescriptions came from primary care providers. However, patients who received their prescriptions from endocrinologists or obesity medicine specialists were more likely to continue treatment. Those who saw their doctor more frequently, regardless of specialty, were also more likely to persist with the treatment, highlighting the need for better care management.
The data also indicated that patients facing significant socioeconomic barriers, such as cost, transportation, and language barriers, were less likely to continue treatment. Similarly, adults under age 35 had higher discontinuation rates. In contrast, patients with coexisting conditions like peripheral vascular disease and diabetes, especially those with three or more such conditions, were more likely to stick with the treatment.
These findings are significant for the fitness industry to consider. Some players, like Equinox and Life Time’s MIORA, have already entered the arena with GLP-1 programs. The fitness industry and health clubs could form logical partnerships to help patients adhere to the lifestyle changes required to sustain weight loss success on these medications, thereby enhancing overall outcomes.
Elevate Your Expertise: Tune in to Our YouTube Channel for Exclusive Podcasts with fitness and wellness Industry Titans and Game-Changers
