Will Others Follow CVS Caremark’s Lead and Select a Preferred GLP-1 for Obesity?
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May 08, 2025
CVS Health Corp.-owned Caremark on May 1 announced that the PBM would make Wegovy (semaglutide) the preferred GLP-1 for treating obesity on its largest commercial template formularies, effective July 1. Some other payers, including MassHealth and Point32Health, have also chosen a preferred GLP-1 for obesity, although speakers at a recent Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) webinar suggested that there are potential drawbacks to this approach, such as having people switch drugs after taking another GLP-1 or weight loss medication.
Prem Shah, a CVS Health executive vice president, told analysts on a May 1 conference call that Caremark’s clients’ “biggest pain point” and “biggest pharmacy trend driver” has shifted from the high cost of specialty medications to the increased demand and cost of GLP-1s. He added that about one-third of Caremark’s customers have chosen not to cover GLP-1s for obesity due to affordability concerns.
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