Weight loss drugs helped drive 13.5% increase in pharma costs: Study
Becker's Healthcare April 25, 2024
Hospital pharmaceutical costs marginally decreased in 2023 because of the lessened need for COVID-19 drugs, but overall healthcare spending on drugs grew 13.5% — largely because of weight loss medications, a new study found.
The researchers said weight loss drugs will continue to increase costs, especially as more are approved and existing ones gain new indications, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists said in an April 24 news release.
“Adding to the weight loss category, spending on the diabetes drug tizepatide [Mounjaro, Zepbound] grew an astounding 373% even though its approval for weight loss came late in 2023,” the release...