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Boston Globe
13-05-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
GLP-1 drugs fueled a jump in R.I. health care spending, nearly tripling in three years, report finds
Advertisement The latest iteration arrives as Americans have, at rapid pace, turned to GLP-1s to lose weight in recent years. Get Rhode Island News Alerts Sign up to get breaking news and interesting stories from Rhode Island in your inbox each weekday. Enter Email Sign Up Related : Data from the health analytics firm, Real Chemistry, showed between 2023 and 2024, 'It is no surprise that GLP-1s have the potential to appeal to many Rhode Island residents, as nearly one in three residents was obese in 2023,' states the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner's While the medications have provided benefits to counteract obesity and related health complications, the drugs come at a premium: Advertisement 'Due to high prices and increasing utilization, GLP-1 drugs have quickly become a leading source of retail pharmacy spending,' the report states. 'Because they are a long-term maintenance medication, and their use is expanding, they will be a major source of spending growth for years to come – even before accounting for price increases.' According to the report, retail pharmacy spending in the state would have grown by only 3.8 percent if not for GLP-1 medications, instead of 7.9 percent. The analysis, which relies on Related : Collectively, across the three years, the state spent $121.4 million on those drugs alone. 'A small number of GLP-1 medications made up a significant amount of spending, underscoring their extremely high price points,' the report states. 'The impact of these medications on retail pharmacy spending is even more pronounced considering that patients typically use them for the long-term,' the report states. 'The annual cost of Trulicity, for example, is over $10,000, according to these data.' The report concluded GLP-1s are 'not cost-effective at their current prices, and are largely unavailable to people with lower incomes.' 'It is important for Rhode Islanders to get the care and medications they need to live the healthiest lives possible, but at prices that are not burdensome and a deterrent to access,' the report states. Overall, the report found hospital and drug costs were the primary expenses that bumped up health care spending in the Ocean State, which rose across all major insurance markets. Spending per person hit $6,735 in the commercial market, a 6.9 percent increase from 2022; $14,000 in Medicare, a 8.7 percent increase; and $7,678 in Medicaid, up 6.7 percent. Advertisement Other findings from the report include a sharp increase in per-person hospital spending, as outpatient hospital costs in the commercial market jumped 11.3 percent to $1,801 per person from $1,618, an increase 'driven by increasing prices and utilization.' The report also found 'hospital settings continue to drive higher costs for the same services' provided in non-hospital settings. 'This year's report shows that we must keep pushing for smarter solutions,' Governor Dan McKee said in a statement. 'That's why my administration has taken action to strengthen primary care and reduce unnecessary costs — and why my FY 2026 budget continues to prioritize investments that improve access, affordability, and quality.' Christopher Gavin can be reached at
Boston Globe
12-05-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Mass. residents who take GLP-1 drugs for obesity tend to be white and affluent. But who needs them most?
Obesity, which White people account for about 68 percent of Massachusetts residents with obesity but make up 82 percent of patients taking the drugs, according to the analysis, which relied on tens of thousands of insurance claims and data on assets. Advertisement Women make up 51 percent of the state's obese residents but about 71 percent of GLP-1 users. And nearly one-third of people taking the medicines have household incomes of $200,000 or more. Meanwhile, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and low-income residents are underrepresented among people taking GLP-1s, based on their obesity rates. (In Massachusetts, Advertisement A variety of factors appear to contribute to the disparities, not the least of which is the cost of the self-injected drugs. GLP-1s have list prices of $1,000 or more a month, and insurance coverage of the medications varies widely. The disparities worry health experts, who say the medicines have the potential to narrow differences in obesity rates among demographic groups, but may in fact be widening them. 'These drugs are very important for everyone to have access to,' said Jonathan Rossman, a senior analyst for Real Chemistry, 'not just the ones who have the means to pay for it.' Related : Among those who have struggled to afford GLP-1 drugs is Jordan, a 37-year-old Cambridge resident and manager of a nonprofit that mentors high school students. Jordan is Black, uses they/them pronouns, and only wanted to be identified by their first name because of privacy concerns. Weighing 285 pounds at their peak, Jordan first tried the daily drug Saxenda in mid-2022. They shed 40 pounds but then plateaued. In January of last year, they switched to the weekly drug Wegovy. In both cases, Jordan had a modest monthly co-pay of $20 through their insurance. 'It's been extremely meaningful,' Jordan said of losing weight. It helped to relieve asthma and back pain, they said, and had 'mental effects, like being on the subway and not worrying about whether I can squeeze into the seat.' But when Jordan began working for the nonprofit last July, they said, their new insurance plan at CVS Caremark wouldn't cover Wegovy. It would cost $1,500 a month out of pocket, which was unaffordable. Advertisement So Jordan switched to a copycat version of the drug available online from a compounding pharmacy for $500 a month. However, the Food and Drug Administration has cracked down on copycat GLP-1s, saying in March that they 'can be risky for patients' because they haven't been approved by regulators. Jordan isn't sure what to do if the drug becomes unavailable; they have lost a total of 92 pounds since they began taking GLP-1s. Related : Experts say some demographic groups aren't as aware of the medications as others. Some patients of color are more skeptical of medical care than white patients because of harm they historically suffered during such episodes as the infamous Tuskegee syphilis study. Black and brown patients may also face greater challenges in finding a primary care physician to prescribe GLP-1s, or have difficulty getting time off from work to see a doctor. Cultural ideals about appearance may also play a role in the disparities between groups. 'That's basically the demographic that faces the most societal pressure for fitness, so they'd be the ones seeking the prescriptions most urgently,' she said. Anekwe sees about 20 patients a week with obesity, she said, and roughly 70 percent are white women. To qualify for the medications, private and public insurers have generally required patients to have a body mass index of at least 30, or 27 if individuals have a weight-related medical condition such as cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. (Someone who is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 192 pounds has a BMI of 30.) Advertisement Traci Haddock, who works for a biotech in the Fenway area, said she first began taking GLP-1s about 18 months ago after her primary care doctor said her blood sugar levels indicated she was prediabetic. She weighed 330 pounds at the time. Haddock, who is white, said she had struggled to lose weight all her life but didn't feel societal pressure to take a GLP-1 – just the opposite. Related : 'I feel like there's a bit of stigma against taking the medication, like it's the easy way out,' said Haddock. She first used Saxenda, which her husband, Chris Angelli, a Somerville High School science teacher, takes for obesity. Haddock lost 25 pounds but then regained it. In December, she switched to Zepbound. She has lost 25 pounds again and says her cravings, or 'food noise,' have disappeared. Haddock, whose annual household income exceeds $200,000, said she has a co-pay of $60 a month under her insurance plan from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and can easily afford the treatment. 'We're very fortunate,' she said. 'I will pay $15 a week to lose one to two pounds a week, no problem.' Traci Haddock and her husband, Chris Angelli. Haddock said she has a co-pay of $60 a month under her insurance plan from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and can easily afford Zepbound. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff A new study by researchers from the Yale School of Medicine found similar disparities in prescriptions for GLP-1s written nationwide that the Globe analysis identified for prescriptions written in Massachusetts. The Yale researchers examined electronic health records of 277 million patients from more than 280 US health care systems between July 2020 and October 2024. The team found more than 39 million adults qualified for GLP-1s to treat obesity, but only 2.3 percent of them obtained prescriptions for semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) or tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound). Related : Advertisement Again, male patients were less likely than female patients to obtain prescriptions, and Black, Hispanic, and Asian patients were underrepresented, based on their obesity rates, according to the study published late last month in JAMA Network. 'We want to make sure these powerful drugs can reach the patients who need them most, but when we look at the obesity prevalence, there's a disparity there,' Yuan Lu, an assistant professor of medicine and the senior author of the study, said in an interview. Although affordability appears to be fueling disparities in Massachusetts, the state actually has one of the more generous public insurance programs for lower-income residents seeking GLP-1s. Massachusetts is one of 15 states that cover the cost of GLP-1s to treat obesity in patients on Medicaid, the federal health care program for people with low incomes, according to former Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Christine Ferguson. Her firm, Leverage Global Consulting, tracks coverage of GLP-1s by public and private insurers. MassHealth, Related : 'At least in Massachusetts, our Medicaid program works against disparity,' said Dr. James Morrill, a primary care physician and medical director at the MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center who prescribes GLP-1s several times a week. In addition to treating diabetes and obesity, GLP-1s are being studied by scientists as potential treatments for disorders ranging from Scientists have known for years that the drugs lessen the rewarding effects of addictive drugs, including alcohol, nicotine, and opioids, in laboratory rodents. Advertisement 'There are, like, 60 different disease states that GLP-1s are being studied for in various clinical trials,' said Rossman, of Real Chemistry. 'It's an amazing class of drugs.' Jonathan Saltzman can be reached at
Associated Press
02-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Real Chemistry Strengthens Presence in Europe with Key Leadership Moves
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 2, 2025-- Real Chemistry, a global leader in healthcare marketing and communications, today announced two strategic leadership moves to strengthen its presence in Europe. Camilla Griffiths has been appointed President, 21GRAMS Europe, bringing her extensive expertise in healthcare advertising and marketing strategy to accelerate the agency's growth across the region. In parallel, Mike Nelson, President, Integrated Communications, has relocated from the U.S. to London to drive international client development. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: (L-R): Real Chemistry welcomes Camilla Griffiths, President, 21GRAMS Europe; and company vet Mike Nelson assumes new International Client Development role at Real Chemistry. 'These key leadership moves reflect our continued investment in global expansion and our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our clients,' said Shankar Narayanan, CEO of Real Chemistry. 'Camilla's deep expertise in healthcare marketing and her proven leadership will be instrumental in expanding 21GRAMS' presence in Europe, while Mike's experience and strategic mindset will help us strengthen our international communications offering and cultivate new opportunities for growth.' Camilla Griffiths to Lead 21GRAMS Europe Operations Having worked in the healthcare advertising industry for nearly 15 years, Griffiths brings a wealth of experience in overseeing creative campaigns, team leadership and financial management. Prior to joining 21GRAMS, she served as Group Managing Director at Havas Lynx Group, where she was responsible for multiple agency teams and spearheaded successful global campaigns for leading pharmaceutical brands. As President of 21GRAMS Europe, Griffiths will be responsible for driving agency growth, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration, and strengthening the agency's presence in the UK and European markets. '21GRAMS is known for its bold, creative-first approach to healthcare communications, which aligns perfectly with my own passion. I'm thrilled to be joining, especially at such a pivotal moment of growth,' said Griffiths. 'I look forward to working with the brilliant team at 21GRAMS to build upon its success to date, push creative boundaries in healthcare and, ultimately, impact people's lives for the better. For me, that's what it is all about.' Mike Nelson to Drive International Client Development from London Nelson has relocated to London to enhance Real Chemistry's international communications business and meet the increasing global needs of its clients. With over 13 years at Real Chemistry, Nelson has been a key strategic leader, partnering with clients at critical inflection points to develop and implement impactful global strategies. Recognized for his ability to connect industry leaders and build mission-aligned partnerships, Nelson will focus on serving as a senior client strategist, building teams to meet client needs and uncovering international growth opportunities across both existing and new clients. His extensive client network includes leading pharma companies, as well as a diverse mix of biotech, medical device, diagnostics, non-profit and academic organizations. Nelson's international experience is extensive, having previously worked in Basel, Switzerland, leading global communications, advocacy and policy initiatives for Roche. His return to Europe follows years of deep engagement with global clients and teams at Real Chemistry. 'I'm excited to take on this new role in London and help shape the next phase of Real Chemistry's global growth,' said Nelson. 'As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, we have a tremendous opportunity to deliver innovative, data-driven communications strategies that will make a real impact for our clients, while connecting patients with healthcare innovations that will help them lead better and longer lives.' About Real Chemistry Real Chemistry is a trusted partner to the world's most successful life sciences and healthcare companies. As a leading provider of AI-powered audience analytics and insights, we help the healthcare industry better understand, reach and engage patients and professionals using bold ideas to create human-centric healthcare experiences. Anchored by our culture of innovation and boundless creativity, our 2,000+ experts across the life sciences, marketing communications and technology sectors enable modern medical therapies to reach their full potential. (904) 874-5814 SOURCE: Real Chemistry Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 04/02/2025 10:14 AM/DISC: 04/02/2025 10:13 AM
