Oral vs Injectable GLP-1 Cost-Saving Strategies: Eric Levin

In an interview with The American Journal of Managed Care®, Eric Levin, CEO and cofounder of Scripta, discussed how the arrival of a new oral version of Wegovy reshapes the cost equation for patients using glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies, but does not necessarily simplify it. Although oral GLP-1s might seem like a cheaper alternative to injectable drugs, Levin cautions that the reality depends on how patients pay for them.

From a manufacturing and logistics standpoint, oral GLP-1s should cost less, he explained. They are easier to produce and do not require cold-chain storage, which reduces overhead. That advantage does show up in the cash-pay market: patients who purchase oral GLP-1s directly from manufacturers or cash-pay platforms may see prices that are a few hundred dollars lower than injectable versions. However, for patients using insurance, Levin noted that oral and injectable GLP-1s are currently priced about the same. As insurers generally reimburse both similarly, there is little financial difference between formulations when coverage applies—at least for now, as the market continues to evolve rapidly.

To maximize savings, Levin emphasized that patients should first determine whether their insurance covers GLP-1 therapy at all. Roughly 60% of large employers and about 30% of small employers offer some level of coverage, he said. Many employers now partner with carved-out weight-loss or diabetes management programs that may offer better pricing or be the only pathway to coverage. Prescription coding also matters; coverage may hinge on whether the medication is prescribed for obesity vs related comorbidities such as obstructive sleep apnea or diabetes.

For those without coverage, cash-pay options often provide the best value. Purchasing through manufacturers or third-party platforms like GoodRx or direct-to-consumer health companies can be significantly cheaper than paying cash at a traditional pharmacy. Finally, Levin noted that patients with financial hardship should explore income-based assistance programs, which many pharmaceutical companies offer to help make GLP-1 therapies more affordable.