Medicaid Gross Spending For Diabetes/Weight Loss Drugs Up 540% In 4 Years

Medicaid fee-for-service program spending in 2023 on 10 diabetes drugs and two weight loss drugs exceeded $9.4 billion, up 540% from the $1.5 billion in 2019. The analysis included glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 drugs) and sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2 drugs). Both classes help control blood sugar levels for individuals with type 2 diabetes, and are known to be effective weight loss agents.

From 2019 to 2023, Medicaid gross spending increased by 506% for the 10 selected diabetes drugs and by 4,938% for the two selected weight loss drugs . . .