A new data analysis from DoseSpot, a leader in e-prescribing and healthcare technology solutions, reveals that 92% of GLP-1 prescriptions processed in Q1 2025 could have been filled at a lower price, resulting in $10.2 million in missed savings for patients. The review of more than 100,000 prescriptions underscores a significant lack of cost transparency and limited awareness of savings programs, which continues to drive up the cost of these increasingly popular medications for millions of Americans.
The analysis focused on 102,166 prescriptions for GLP-1 brands such as Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Zepbound, evaluating whether patients could have saved money through alternate pharmacies or manufacturer discount programs. The results made one thing clear: most patients are paying more than necessary. The missed savings stemmed from three key areas—lack of access to transparent pharmacy pricing, limited patient choice in pharmacy or dispensing options, and underutilization of manufacturer savings programs. Of the total missed savings, $7 million could have been saved through manufacturer programs alone, which many patients are unaware of.
This gap in awareness has serious consequences. With 1 in 8 American adults having reported using a GLP-1 medication, and cost being the number one reason why 33% of Americans don’t fill their prescriptions, the financial burden directly affects medication adherence and health outcomes. Out-of-pocket prescription spending has surged 25% over the past five years, reaching $98 billion in 2024. Adherence to GLP-1 medications remains particularly low, with only 46.3% of patients still on the drug after 180 days. Manufacturer savings programs can play a crucial role in improving long-term adherence and making these therapies more sustainable.
“Regardless of their insurance status, the vast majority of patients are still unaware of cost saving programs,” said Josh Weiner, CEO of DoseSpot. “Patients need to do their homework—a quick online search for these programs can yield significant savings. Patients also need to speak with providers about pharmacy pricing and dispensing options—providers can access these details, but most don’t share it proactively—you need to ask.”
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