2023 Drug Trends Included GLP-1s, Humira Biosimilars, $0 Cost Share

Notable pharmacy benefit trends in 2023 claims data included increased use of GLP-1s for weight loss, shifting market dynamics amid high demand for AbbVie Inc.'s Humira (adalimumab) and its biosimilar competitors and increasing approval of expensive gene therapies. All this took place amid “persistent price inflation” across most drug categories, according to a new report by PBM analytics firm Xevant.

According to Xevant’s 2023 Drug Trend Report, which analyzed pharmacy claims data from its commercial plan clients, 2023 plan-paid amounts across all brand and generic non-specialty and specialty drugs went up an average of 20% from 2022. In addition, the number of specialty prescriptions processed by plans increased by 11% in 2023. GLP-1 utilization increased by 400%, while claims for Humira and its biosimilars increased by 25%.