One in eight adults has taken a GLP-1 agonist, a drug used to treat obesity and diabetes, such as Ozempic, Munjaro, or Zepbound, according to a poll by the health policy nonprofit KFF. is answering.
Of those surveyed, 12% said they had used GLP-1 agonists, and 6% said they were currently using them. The majority (62%) said they were using drugs to treat chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, while the remaining 38% said they were taking drugs only to lose weight. .
Among participants with diabetes, 4 in 10 said they had used a GLP-1 agonist.
GLP-1 agonists are indicated for the treatment of people with diabetes, obesity, or at risk for cardiovascular disease-related accidents. Off-label use of this drug for cosmetic weight loss has generated widespread concern.
Awareness about these drugs appears to be relatively high, with one-third saying they had heard about the drug ‘a lot’ and 27 per cent saying they had heard ‘somewhat’. Older, more affluent adults and those with chronic illnesses were more likely to have heard of GLP-1 agonists.
Approximately 80% said they obtained their GLP-1 agonist through their primary care provider or specialist. Another 23% said they obtained their medications from online providers, medical spas, or “elsewhere.”
Several GLP-1 agonists, including Ozempic, Munjaro, and Trulicity, are currently in short supply due to increased demand, the Food and Drug Administration reports.
Survey participants were also asked whether they thought Medicare should cover GLP-1 agonists. Federal health programs are prohibited from covering weight loss drugs, but the recent approval of the weight loss drug Wegoby for cardiovascular disease will make the drug available to Medicare beneficiaries.
A previous KFF analysis showed that with expanded approval, one in four obese beneficiaries could receive Weogvy.
A total of 61% said Medicare should cover GLP-1 agonists for obesity treatment. Their opinion remained effective even after being made aware of Medicare’s arguments against coverage of obesity drugs, including the potential for premium increases and the potential for coverage to place a financial burden on government programs. Not changed.
of KFF survey The survey was conducted between April 23 and May 1 among a sample of 1,479 U.S. adults.
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