Societal value and health economic benefits of GLP‐1 drugs in the United States

This article provides an overview of the health economics of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists in the United States based on a selection of the key literature, with some comparison references to cost‐effectiveness in the United Kingdom. It discusses the potential health‐care cost savings and societal benefits of products such as semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), followed by current pricing trends and coverage, concluding with methodological and policy implications. To correctly consider the greater positive effects of GLP‐1 agonists, standard methods of assessment must go beyond list prices and balance cost‐containment, equity, and access while preserving competition and choice in the health‐care market.