Diabetes Drugs & Weight Loss

April 3, 2023

Diabetes Drugs & Weight Loss

A class of diabetes drugs known as GLP-1 agonists has recently taken the pharmaceutical and weight loss industries by storm. This is because GLP-1 agonists suppress appetite and slow gastric emptying, which makes you feel full faster and longer. 


While results can be significant, this off-label weight management method carries risks for both the member and the plan sponsor. 


The Risks

• Clinical Uncertainty

>> Currently, only two GLP-1 agonists have been FDA reviewed and approved for weight loss.

>> Without FDA review, there is no way to know if these drugs are safe and effective for their intended use. Unapproved drugs have resulted in patient harm.

• Cost Driver

>> Outside of specialty drugs, diabetic drugs are a leading cost-driver in prescription benefits plans.

>> The recent uptick in the use of GLP-1 agonists for weight loss can exponentially increase drug spend for the plan, especially if the plan does not knowingly cover weight loss drugs.


TrueScripts Protection

• Clinical Certainty

>> To ensure that GLP-1 agonists are being used for FDA-approved conditions and in accordance with plan coverage parameters, Prior Authorizations (PA) for these drugs have been put in place.

>> No pharmacy ownership and use of an independent PA provider ensures that each drug and patient receives an accurate, unbiased clinical review.

• Cost Containment

>> As part of our Brand Care Program, we work to qualify many GLP-1 agonists to be received at a discounted rate.

>> When applicable, our team will explore international sourcing options to obtain the best pricing for these drugs.

>> We understand that diabetic comorbidities can drive costs exponentially, so we will work with clients to develop a benefits plan design best suited for the needs of their unique population.



Drug List


GLP-1 agonists - work by triggering insulin release and blocking sugar production in the liver

   • Ozempic (semaglutide) – once weekly injection

>> Can help lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, plus potential kidney benefits

>> Not approved for weight loss

   • Rybelsus – oral semaglutide (Ozempic) taken daily

>> Not approved for heart-related benefits or weight loss

   • Trulicity (dulaglutide) – once weekly injection

>> Has heart and kidney benefits

>> Not approved for weight loss and less weight loss noted compared to semaglutide

   • Victoza (liraglutide) – once daily injection

>> Has heart benefits and potentially kidney benefits

>> Not approved for weight loss and less weight loss noted compared to semaglutide

   • Wegovy – higher dose semaglutide (Ozempic)

>> Approved for weight loss

   • Saxenda – higher dose liraglutide (Victoza) 

>> Approved for weight loss; studies showed greater weight loss with Wegovy


GLP-1/GIP agonists - newer class of medication that works by mimicking 2 gut hormones: GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)

   • Mounjaro – approved to treat Type 2 diabetes and the FDA is fast-tracking it’s review for weight loss approval

>> Head-to-head with Ozempic showed better Hemoglobin A1C reduction and greater weight loss 


Zepbound (tirzepatide)– FDA approved for chronic weight management that activates both GIP and GLP-1 hormone receptors•   


Factors for Choosing Which GLP-1 Agonist Is Right for You:

   • Age – only some drugs are approved for children

   • Underlying Conditions – added heart and kidney protection in some drugs

   • Treatment Preference – oral vs. injection, daily vs. weekly

   • Treatment Goals

   • Body Mass Index (BMI)

   • Insurance Coverage


Please reach out to the TrueScripts team with any questions or concerns you may have. 

We are happy to provide you with answers and Amazing Care!

Female pharmacist handing prescription medication to a male customer at a pharmacy counter
By Claire Vittori March 25, 2026
If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that pharmacy benefit plans can’t afford to stand still. Rising drug spend, regulatory complexity, and evolving member expectations continues to raise the bar for self-funded plans and those who support them. As we open 2026, we want to reaffirm what makes our model truly different—and why that difference matters more than ever. What We’re Watching The top market trends remain clear: Continued growth in specialty drug use, costs, and demand Heightened regulatory and fiduciary oversight Growing calls for more transparency and accountability TrueScripts is built for this moment. We believe self-insured employers deserve both bottom-line savings and uncompromising care delivered by a fully transparent and conflict-free PBM partner. And we’re proud to deliver all in a way no other PBM can. Amazing Care in Action Last week, one of our Member Care Advocates got word that the wife of a member on a high-cost specialty medication wouldn’t have coverage until her plan officially transitioned to TrueScripts on January 1. That could’ve meant a delay. Instead, our team found a way to coordinate early through one of our savings programs to secure the lowest cost and ensure the prescription was in her hands on time. To top it off, we sent her one of our Amazing Care Bears, along with a handwritten note, reminding her family they weren’t just a claim—they were cared for here. That’s not an exception. That’s the TrueScripts way. 2025 Enhancements: Built for What’s Next In 2025, we continued to invest in programs designed to help employers manage some of the fastest-growing pressures in pharmacy benefits—without defaulting to additional single-source vendor solutions, blunt cost-shifting, or member disruption. Our team introduced new ways this year to help clients solve their toughest pharmacy cost challenges, designed for unique situations where traditional approaches often fall short. These programs represent our commitment to doing what others won’t to maximize savings with Amazing Care , and ensure members get access to the drugs they need. Behind the scenes, our program, technology, and clinical teams are always optimizing costs, such as our 2025 enhancement of the PriceProtector+ program through our partnership with RxPartner. This upgrade now quietly compares our network prices to 24 discount card networks (including GoodRx) to ensure members get the best available price on brands and generics at the point of sale. No added revenue for us—just real savings for clients and members. We’re already seeing close to 55% of these claims getting a better price through this enhancement with the additional vendor partner. We also launched our new Weight Management program, built to address rising demand for GLP-1 medications in a more thoughtful, sustainable way. Rather than treating weight management as a binary “cover or don’t cover” decision, this program emphasizes clinical appropriateness, education, and long-term outcomes—helping plans support member health goals while maintaining affordability and predictability. What’s Ahead in 2026 Looking ahead to 2026, we’re building on that momentum. We’re expanding solutions designed to address the fastest-growing drivers of spend, particularly high-cost biologics, through our biosimilar-first strategy. This clinically guided, member-friendly approach prioritizes equivalent outcomes, continuity of care, and the lowest appropriate net cost, helping plans reduce volatility while protecting access. Plus, we are more savings solutions in 2026 that directly target the rising cost of in-demand specialty medications—bringing more programs with integrated claims adjudication, transparency, and uncompromising care to every claim. Thank You To our clients, brokers, and partners: thank you for trusting the approach that puts transparency, savings, and people first. In a year where pressure is coming from every direction, we remain committed to proving that when savings and extraordinary service go hand in hand, everyone wins . —Your TrueScripts Team
Woman and man talking inside holiday decorated office
By Claire Vittori December 30, 2025
Honoring the Season of Giving: Crisis Connection
By Dawn Schnell November 19, 2025
Meredith Showers, Operations Specialist - Member Care, shares how our team supports your employees in meaningful, hands-on ways. Whether it's calling the pharmacy to help with prescriptions, enrolling members in savings programs, or guiding them through their employer-sponsored benefits, we're committed to making prescription benefits easier and more personal. Take a moment to hear how these everyday actions make a big impact. Click Here to Watch Video
Show More