(B-170) Spending, Utilization, and Price Trends for Anti-Obesity Medications in US Medicaid Programs: A Comprehensive Analysis from 1999 to 2023

Background: Obesity presents a critical public health and economic challenge in the U.S., with its prevalence rising, especially among Medicaid patients. Anti-obesity medications (AOMs) play a vital role in obesity management, yet their utilization and spending patterns within Medicaid remain understudied.

Objectives: This study investigates Medicaid's trends in AOM utilization, reimbursement, and pricing between 1999 and 2023.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate utilization, reimbursement, and pricing of both older and newer AOMs. The study measured annual prescription counts and reimbursements for seven AOMs billed through Medicaid during the study period. Average expenditure per prescription served as an indicator of pricing trends.

Results: AOM prescriptions rose dramatically, from 13,855 in 1999 to 938,663 in 2023, marking a 6,674% increase. Spending experienced a sharp escalation of over 77,805,466%, driven by the emergence of newer, more effective drugs such as Wegovy and tirzepatide, which accounted for the largest share of market growth in 2023.

Conclusions: The remarkable growth in AOM utilization and spending underscores the escalating burden of obesity on Medicaid, highlighting the need for policy interventions to address rising costs and ensure equitable access to treatments.