GLP-1 drug trend at 11.7% is a choice

Originally posted March 26, 2025 by Chris Vanderwolk

Traditional drug trend is up 11.7% due to GLP-1s.

Friendly reminder that it doesn’t have to be that way.

• the drugs can be made for $5/month https://lnkd.in/entYPmzd
• the drugs sell for ~$100/month in other Western countries https://lnkd.in/esHP8dGF
• rebate (to PBMs and plan sponsors) are 41-59% of the list price of GLP-1s https://lnkd.in/e_Vz7zkK
• Eli Lilly will sell Zepbound direct to consumers for $499, including telemedicine https://lnkd.in/epVkEP-e, but if you buy it through your health plan it’s $1,086 per fill. https://lnkd.in/e-5B2NKM
• seemingly dozens of compounding pharmacies have stood up highly profitable businesses selling GLP-1s with telemedicine and massive marketing campaigns.

This isn’t to say Adam Fein’s chart is wrong - it’s not. His content is always top quality.

It’s to reinforce that it doesn’t have to be this way - the drugs are inexpensive to manufacture and distribute. We’re just being overcharged.

There’s nothing wrong with making a profit for a valuable product or service, but market distortion isn’t healthy capitalism.

Originally posted on LinkedIn, where the discussion and source links live in the comments.

About the author

Chris Vanderwolk is Director of Compliance and Innovation at OneDigital | Kistler Tiffany Benefits General Agency, where he helps brokers and employers navigate the regulatory complexity of employee benefits. An ERISA attorney with more than 19 years in the benefits industry, he specializes in translating what the law actually requires into language people can use.