{
  "id": 10495645,
  "title": "How much do Americans spend on GLP-1 medications? Medical students measure drug affordability",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/how-much-do-americans-spend-on-glp-1-medications-medical-students",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-28T17:40:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-americans-glp-medications-medical-students.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "From 2013 to 2023, U.S. health care spending on GLP-1 medications increased significantly, from $4.4 billion to $64.9 billion. In 2023, these drugs accounted for 7% of annual household income for the average patient, with nearly 1 in 5 users facing a high out-of-pocket burden of at least 10% of their household income. This financial strain is particularly pronounced among uninsured and lower-income individuals, highlighting the need for more affordable solutions, such as drug price negotiations and expanded insurance coverage.",
  "summary": "The number of people using GLP-1 treatments like Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss or chronic conditions has increased rapidly, with more than 1 in 10 U.S. adults currently taking such medications. A new study led by medical students at Virginia Commonwealth University has shed light on how this rise in GLP-1 drug use is affecting Americans' wallets.",
  "key_points": [
    "GLP-1 drug spending rose from $4.4B in 2013 to $64.9B in 2023",
    "2023: 7% of average patient's annual income spent on these meds",
    "20% of users face high out-of-pocket costs >10% of household income"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}