Multiple Tactics Likely Needed to Control Obesity Drug Costs, ICER Says
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Apr 10, 2025
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, particularly Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound (tirzepatide), have made a significant difference for patients with obesity, on top of netting blockbuster sales for the two manufacturers. But the enormous market size is proving to be unsustainable for payers, leading the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) to suggest additional ways to handle the costs of the drugs.
The U.S. drug-pricing watchdog released a white paper on April 9 meant to examine strategies to ensure affordable access to the medications. The group has previously assessed the cost-effectiveness of the class of drugs and found them mostly overpriced. The July 2022 report found that Wegovy and Novo Nordisk’s Saxenda (liraglutide) did not meet cost-effectiveness benchmarks, while Vivus’s Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate) and Currax Pharmaceuticals’ Contrave (bupropion/naltrexone) were more cost-effective. Wegovy and Qsymia were the more effective of the four, with Qsymia having a wholesale acquisition cost that was a fraction of Wegovy’s. The review preceded the approval of Zepbound, but high costs remain a concern especially for Wegovy and Zepbound.
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