The high cost of GLP-1 weight loss drugs has significantly affected employer prescription drug spending over the past year, leading many organizations to limit or even eliminate coverage. These unexpected costs have created challenges for employers balancing plan affordability with employee access.

I had the opportunity to provide insights for a recent SHRM article examining how President Trump’s new deal on GLP-1 drugs could change that landscape. As I noted, “Many employers have implemented plan limits for GLP-1 drugs or have eliminated (or are considering eliminating) GLP-1 coverage due to the financial burden on both the organization and employees.”

The deal has the potential to lower prices for these drugs, which could increase overall utilization and open the door for negotiations between pharmacy benefit managers and drug manufacturers. If successful, employers may be able to expand or reinstate GLP-1 coverage for their workforce, helping address both cost and access concerns.

The full article, “What Trump’s Deal on GLP-1 Costs Could Mean for Employers,” was published by SHRM on November 10 and is available online (subscription required).