By Ed Silverman
June 11, 2026
Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer
Top of the morning to you, and a fine one it is. Sunny skies and mild breezes are enveloping the Pharmalot campus once again, making it possible for the official mascots to eat breakfast on the deck and take long naps. As for us, we are firing up the trusty kettle to make another cuppa stimulation. Our choice today is English breakfast, an old standby. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest. Hope you have a meaningful and productive day and, of course, do stay in touch. …
Some employers are planning to drop coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss next year as more people take the medications, counteracting some savings from lower prices for Novo Nordisk’s and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Foundayo , Reuters reports. About 10% of employers who now cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss said they planned to drop the drugs in 2027, according to the Business Group on Health, a policy research group for large employers. A second survey by benefits consultancy Mercer said 5% of large employers — which it defines as employing over 500 people — plan to drop coverage in 2027. Mercer said 44% of companies with more than 500 employees cover the drugs for obesity. Data from the Business Group on Health show 67% of large employers cover GLP-1s in 2026.
Rapidly expanding use of weight loss medicines in the U.K. has wiped about $1 billion off annual grocery spending , Bloomberg News writes. Households with at least one user of GLP-1 weight loss drugs bought 299 million fewer food items in the year after adoption of the medication, with users reporting a dwindling number of cravings and cutting back on treats like chocolate and potato chips, according to a study from Worldpanel by Numerator . Use of the drugs has nearly tripled in two years, the group said, with 6.3% of households in the U.K. including at least one current user of GLP-1s such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. That’s up from 4.1% in 2025 and 2.3% in 2024.
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Read the full article at STAT News →📄Source document: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)→3 reports
STAT NewsIndependentCenter3 days agoThis article discusses the growing competition in the GLP-1 weight loss drug market, highlighting the efforts of pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Amgen to enter the space dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. It mentions upcoming content from STAT covering developments in the field and includes a segment featuring insights from the 'Readout LOUD' podcast.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral overview of the competitive landscape in the GLP-1 drug market without taking a stance on any particular company or product. It does not present biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing that would indicate a leaning toward either side.
AxiosIndependentCenter6 days agoThe upcoming Medicare program offering weight-loss drugs at a reduced cost ($50 per month) is anticipated to significantly increase demand for medications like Wegovy and Zepbound. This surge in demand raises concerns among healthcare providers about potential bottlenecks in accessing these treatments, as well as challenges in providing adequate patient counseling regarding proper usage, dosage adjustments, and managing side effects. The program stems from a deal between former President Donald Trump and pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, aimed at reducing drug prices in lieu
Bias read (Center): The article presents information without overtly favoring any political perspective. It discusses the implications of a policy decision made under a previous administration but does not frame the issue with clear ideological bias. The content focuses on logistical and medical concerns rather than a
STAT NewsIndependentCenter10 days ago STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about employer coverage of obesity drugs, another Sanofi setback, and moreThe article discusses recent developments in the pharmaceutical industry, including employer decisions regarding coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. Some employers are considering dropping coverage of these drugs in 2027 due to increasing usage, which could offset cost savings from lower drug prices. The article references reports from Reuters, the Business Group on Health, and benefits consultancy Mercer.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overt ideological framing. It reports on employer decisions related to healthcare coverage and cites multiple external sources without apparent bias toward any particular political stance.
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