Millions Wasted: Shocking Report Reveals Widespread Overpayment for GLP-1 Drugs

A new analysis reveals patients overpaid by $10.2 million for popular GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound in just three months.
The vast majority of these overpayments—$7 million—stemmed from patients missing out on readily available manufacturer cost-saving programs.
With nearly 33 million Americans using GLP-1s, the total potential savings could be in the billions, highlighting a massive gap in patient awareness and proactive provider guidance.

Millions of Americans are unknowingly throwing money away on the very medications transforming their health. As the use of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound skyrockets for weight loss and diabetes, a startling new report from e-prescribing leader DoseSpot reveals a hidden financial crisis.

The company’s analysis of over 102,000 prescriptions from early 2025 found that patients collectively overpaid by a staggering $10.2 million. A stunning 92 percent of those prescriptions could have been filled at a lower price.

The culprit isn't just the high sticker price, which can average $1,000 per person per month [2, 3, 4], but a confusing maze of insurance hurdles and a critical awareness gap. The bulk of the potential savings—$7 million—was locked away in manufacturer cost-savings programs that patients simply never used.

"Regardless of their insurance status, the vast majority of patients are still unaware of cost saving programs," warns DoseSpot CEO Josh Weiner. He stresses that while providers have access to pricing options, patients often have to ask for them proactively.

This overspending has dire consequences. National data shows that 30 percent of Americans don't fill their prescriptions because of cost, and adherence to GLP-1s is particularly low. Yet, these drugs are clinically transformative, proven to reduce hospitalizations when taken long-term [1, 5].

When extrapolated across the 32.8 million Americans currently taking these drugs, the potential overspending easily climbs into the billions. As employers and insurers grapple with rising costs⁴, and with Medicare price negotiations on the horizon [5, 7], the report from DoseSpot and its subsidiary pVerify is a wake-up call. For millions, significant savings are not a distant policy dream but a few clicks or a conversation away.

Millions Wasted: Shocking Report Reveals Widespread Overpayment for GLP-1 Drugs

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