Weight loss and diabetes medications are much more expensive in the United States compared to other countries, a recent analysis from KFF finds.
The analysis looked at the cost of a month's supply of semaglutide, which is used in the diabetes drug Ozempic and its related weight loss drug Wegovy, as well as the blood sugar medication tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro for treating Type 2 diabetes and sometimes used for obesity.
Wegovy had the highest price, costing $1,349 in the US, which is four times the price in Germany and 4.5 times the price in the Netherlands.
A one-month supply of Mounjaro costs $1,023 in the US, over three times its cost in Japan and more than double the price in the Netherlands.
Ozempic is priced at $936 in the US, while it's sold for much less in the UK and France: $93 and $83, respectively.
These list prices might not be what people actually pay because manufacturers often offer coupons, and private insurers can negotiate lower prices.
KFF stated that even if prices decrease somewhat, the combination of higher drug prices and higher obesity rates in the US could still lead to more healthcare spending than in other countries.
About 42% of adults in the US aged 20 and above are obese, which often results in higher medical costs.
The CDC mentioned that the estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the US was around $173 billion in 2019. Medical costs for obese adults were $1,861 higher compared to those with a healthy weight.
Another survey from KFF found that almost 60% of adults trying to lose weight, and even a quarter of those not actively trying, would be interested in trying a weight loss prescription drug if it's proven safe and effective.
Additionally, over half of adults believe that insurance should cover weight loss prescription drugs for anyone aiming to lose weight, and around 80% think they should be covered for individuals who are overweight or obese, according to the KFF survey.
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