Prime Therapeutics releases new clinical insights report, “Weight management: A holistic journey”

Obesity is a major public health issue, as approximately 74% of U.S. adults have obesity or are classified as overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Center for Health Statistics.

Many patients and providers looking for a new approach to treating this chronic health issue have turned to glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists — a class of medications initially used to treat type 2 diabetes. Now, select GLP-1s have been approved for chronic weight management and to prevent cardiovascular events in certain settings. The use of GLP-1s has skyrocketed, in part due to social media and celebrity influencers. Between 2016 and 2021, Google searches for GLP-1 medications increased more than 295%, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Prime Therapeutics/Magellan Rx Management (Prime/MRx) continues to be an industry leader in GLP-1 insights, developing individualized strategies that promote clinically appropriate use and consider total cost of care, long-term value and health outcomes. That’s why Prime/MRx is proud to release a new clinical insights report, “Weight management: A holistic journey.”

While GLP-1s can certainly aid in weight loss, there are complementary methods of supporting patients through their health journey of chronic weight management, including lifestyle and behavior modification, management programs and long-term data. An analysis of real-world integrated pharmacy and medical claims by Prime/MRx Clinical and Health Outcomes experts found that 68% of individuals who newly began taking GLP-1s for weight loss were no longer taking the drug after one year. The analysis also found a significantly higher total cost of care, at $7,727 per person. Additional findings from this data were also recently shared at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) Annual meeting.

The educational clinical insights report encourages providers to consider individual patient health context and personal preferences when recommending medications such as GLP-1s, as well as current evidence and guidelines. This whole-person approach accounts for individual needs; health context; and drug treatment, efficacy and safety — ensuring that GLP-1s aren’t used in a silo.

This also is a focus of Prime/MRx’s new member offering KeepWell, an integrated and comprehensive lifestyle program tailored to the needs of our clients’ members, offering a personalized and effective path to wellness to support each member’s unique life and health, helping members with obesity and other cardiometabolic conditions.

Prime/MRx is guided by four primary tenants of practice when it comes to chronic weight management: evidence, adherence, cost and holistic care. We remain committed to our evidence-based approach to this class of drugs, developing strategies that promote appropriate use and consider total cost of care, long-term value and patient health outcomes.

For more information on the report, and for other insights from Prime/MRx, visit our GLP-1 Strategy page.