Patients taking the GLP-1 weight loss drug semaglutide were 3 times more likely to maintain adherence to their medication regimens a year later when compared to other drug options, according to a Cleveland Clinic study. As described in Obesity, researchers examined health records of 1,911 adults in two states and found 40% of semaglutide patients were still filling their prescriptions 12 months after the initiation of treatment. Patients using other anti-obesity drugs, such as orlistat, liraglutide, naltrexone-bupropion and phentermine-topiramate, demonstrated adherence of no more than 19%, with some abandoning their regimens entirely. About one-fourth of the patients in the study were prescribed semaglutide. Overall, three-fourths of the patients were female, and most had private insurance.
Don’t forget about access: When considering adherence, the patient’s insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs typically figure into the equation. Common sense says patients will stick with drug treatments that are affordable. Semaglutide had a cash price of about $1,300 as of this week, according to GoodRx, but Reuters notes that 80% of patients with insurance are paying less than $25 a month for it. In addition, manufacturer coupons offer up to $500 off a 28-day supply for patients whose insurance does not cover the cost.