Spending on glucagon-like peptide-1 medications across high-income countries: a repeated cross-sectional study

Abstract Objectives To compare country-level spending on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications as a proportion of overall anti-diabetic drug expenditure across high-income countries. Methods We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study of anti-diabetic drug sales across multiple high-income countries from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023. Key findings Norway, the US, and Canada led in GLP-1 spending as a proportion of overall anti-diabetic expenditure. Semaglutide (Ozempic) had the highest anti-diabetic expenditure across these countries. Conclusions There is wide variability in GLP-1 use and spending stemming from country-level differences in drug coverage and patient access, warranting further study in broader healthcare systems.