GLP-1 Statistics & Data (2026)
Usage & Demand
Approximately 1 in 8 U.S. adults (12%) report currently taking a GLP-1 medication. 18% have taken one at some point.
Source: KFF Health Tracking Poll, November 2025
56% of current and recent GLP-1 users say the medications are difficult to afford.
Source: KFF Health Tracking Poll, November 2025
Cost & Pricing
GLP-1 list prices (WAC) range from approximately $1,023 to $1,349/month. Manufacturer self-pay programs offer prices from $149 to $499/month depending on drug, dose, form, and program terms.
Sources: NovoCare, Lilly pricing pages (accessed April 7, 2026)
Medicare Part D gross spending on GLP-1s reached $27.5 billion in 2024, with 21.8 million claims. Medicaid gross GLP-1 spending reached $8.6 billion with 8.4 million prescriptions.
Source: KFF BALANCE Explainer, March 2026
Current GLP-1 Pricing
| Drug | Manufacturer | Route | List Price (WAC) | Self-Pay / Patient Program | Notes | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | Novo Nordisk | Injection | $1,027.51 | $349/mo (0.25–1mg) $499/mo (2mg) |
Diabetes indication only; not FDA-approved for weight loss | Apr 7, 2026 |
| Wegovy (pen) | Novo Nordisk | Injection | $1,349.02 | $199/mo intro (first 2 fills) $349/mo after |
Anti-obesity indication | Apr 7, 2026 |
| Wegovy (tablet) | Novo Nordisk | Oral | $1,349.02 | $149/mo (1.5mg & 4mg) $199/mo (4mg after Aug 31, 2026) |
Launched Jan 2026 | Apr 7, 2026 |
| Mounjaro | Eli Lilly | Injection | $1,112.16 | — | Diabetes indication | Apr 7, 2026 |
| Zepbound | Eli Lilly | Injection | $499–$1,086 | $299 (2.5mg) $399 (5mg) $449 (7.5–15mg) |
Anti-obesity; dose-tiered pricing | Apr 7, 2026 |
| Foundayo | Eli Lilly | Oral | — | $149 (starting dose) Up to $349 (higher strengths) |
Launched Apr 2026; WAC not yet confirmed | Apr 7, 2026 |
Note on List Prices
List prices (WAC) do not reflect rebates negotiated between manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Estimated net prices after rebates are significantly lower. Self-pay offers vary by dose, eligibility, and program terms and may include introductory pricing that increases after initial months. See manufacturer websites for current details.
Coverage & Access
Only 19% of firms with 200+ workers cover GLP-1s for weight loss.
Source: KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey, October 2025
13 state Medicaid FFS programs cover GLP-1s for obesity. Only 19.7% of adult Medicaid enrollees — approximately 7.8 million adults out of 39.5 million nationally — live in states with a pathway to coverage.
Source: KFF Medicaid GLP-1 Tracker + The RX Index Coverage Reach analysis
Medicare Part D does not cover GLP-1s for weight loss. The CMS Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program launches July 1, 2026 with $50 monthly copays for eligible enrollees. The Bridge runs through December 31, 2026.
Source: CMS Medicare GLP-1 Bridge FAQ
The CMS BALANCE Model may expand Medicaid GLP-1 access. State applications are due July 31, 2026. No finalized participant list as of April 7, 2026. The model runs through December 2031.
Source: CMS BALANCE Model
FDA Shortage & Compounding Status
| Drug | Shortage Status | Date Entered | Date Resolved | Compounding Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide (injection) Ozempic, Wegovy pen |
In Shortage | — | Shortage notice issued Feb 21, 2025; still listed as of Apr 2026 | Enforcement discretion end date not yet confirmed | FDA → |
| Tirzepatide Mounjaro, Zepbound |
Resolved | — | October 2, 2024 | Enforcement discretion end date not yet confirmed | FDA → |
As of April 2, 2026, FDA stated that the national GLP-1 supply is beginning to stabilize and clarified policies for compounders. Semaglutide injection remains on the shortage list; tirzepatide shortage was resolved in October 2024.
Sources & Downloads
Sources
- KFF Health Tracking Poll, November 2025 — usage, affordability
- KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey, October 2025 — employer coverage
- KFF Medicaid Coverage of and Spending on GLP-1s, January 2026 — state Medicaid
- KFF BALANCE Explainer, March 2026 — Medicare/Medicaid spending, BALANCE details
- CMS BALANCE Model documentation — model timeline and participation
- CMS Medicare GLP-1 Bridge FAQ — Bridge program details
- CMS Monthly Medicaid Enrollment Reports, December 2025 — enrollment data
- NovoCare pricing pages — Ozempic, Wegovy WAC and self-pay (accessed Apr 7, 2026)
- Lilly pricing pages — Mounjaro, Zepbound WAC and self-pay (accessed Apr 7, 2026)
- FDA Drug Shortage/Compounding Update, April 2, 2026 — shortage status
Limitations
- This page aggregates statistics from institutional and government sources. The RX Index does not conduct independent surveys for this page.
- The Coverage Reach metric (19.7%) is an original calculation by The RX Index. Full methodology is available on the Medicaid Coverage page.
- Pricing data reflects publicly listed WAC and manufacturer self-pay programs. Actual patient costs vary by insurance, rebates, and eligibility.
- Ozempic is FDA-approved for diabetes, not weight management. It is included in pricing data but excluded from obesity coverage analysis.
Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Free to use with attribution to The RX Index.
Suggested Citation
The RX Index. (2026). GLP-1 Statistics & Data. Retrieved from https://therxindex.com/research/glp1-statistics/