Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists – better known as GLP-1s – have quickly become a prominent part of the healthcare landscape, with millions embracing this new class of drugs for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. An estimated 12% of adults in the U.S. are actively taking a GLP-1 medication, with prescription volumes quadrupling between 2021-2026.
While data within the workers’ comp industry is still emerging, early indicators point to limited utilization with disproportionate financial impact.
The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) reports that GLP-1s are appearing in a small number of claims and their high monthly cost contributes disproportionately to drug spend, with estimates that requests for GLP-1s will increase further as oral formulations are approved. A Healthesystems analysis similarly shows that from 2022-2025, both spending and the number of prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs in workers’ comp increased five-fold, indicating that while GLP-1s make up only a small portion of prescriptions in workers’ comp, they are experiencing rapid growth.
Considering how prevalent GLP-1s have become – and how their prevalence could continue to grow in an evolving environment – how should the workers’ comp industry approach these medications?
Could GLP-1 Utilization Increase?
While GLP-1 utilization is already high in the general population, utilization could continue climbing for various reasons, including additional indications and increased access. If so, the trickle down into workers’ comp could increase as well.
New Indications for GLP‑1s?
Clinical researchers have continued to study GLP-1 drugs for additional uses, which could result in broader utilization over time.
- Cardiovascular Conditions - In addition to ongoing clinical research, several GLP-1 medications are FDA-approved to help reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and some cardiology guidelines and professional societies are recommending the use of GLP-1s
- Cancer - While no GLP-1s are approved to treat cancer, some studies found that cancer progression was lower in GLP-1 users when comparing their medical records against various other populations, or that cancer risk was reduced among GLP-1 users. Additionally, many types of cancers become more common in the presence of obesity, which GLP-1s can mitigate
- Substance Use Disorder (SUD) - Early research indicates that GLP-1s may potentially reduce substance cravings and dopamine signaling associated with SUDs, and one analysis of approximately 600,000 veterans with type 2 diabetes found that GLP-1s were associated with a 14% reduced risk of developing SUDs
- Parkinson’s Disease - Phase II clinical trials found that lixisenatide therapy resulted in less progression of motor disability than placebo at the 12-month mark
Continue reading the article in full at RxInformer magazine online.
