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GLP-1 therapies push insurers to rethink pharmacy versus medical costs
AM Best highlighted Wegovy’s oral launch, with 1 million prescriptions in 12 weeks after the January 2026 rollout and 5 million in the U.S. by August 2026.
Rapid adoption of GLP-1 therapies is forcing health insurers to weigh rising near term pharmacy spending against uncertain long term reductions in medical costs, according to AM Best.
The rating agency pointed to the January 2026 launch of Wegovy’s oral pill as an example of how quickly demand is growing, with the drug reaching 1 million prescriptions in 12 weeks and adding 2 million prescriptions in the following 10 weeks through June 1.
By August 2026, Novo Nordisk said U.S. prescriptions for the Wegovy pill topped 5 million since launch, with weekly prescriptions exceeding 265,000, and AM Best said manufacturer reported data suggests most prescriptions went to patients new to GLP-1s.
AM Best also noted that these shifts are raising questions for insurers about how today’s coverage and underwriting decisions may affect medical spending for years to come.