Physician Discusses Barriers to Accessing Weight-Loss Drugs
Obesity medicine physician Eleanor Yusupov, D.O., assistant professor of clinical specialties at NYITCOM, is quoted in a article about drug coverage policies for weight-loss medications. Yusupov explains that, despite some progress made to expand insurance coverage, major barriers, including high costs and inconsistent insurance access, still limit patients鈥� ability to obtain weight-loss drugs.
鈥淢edicaid coverage varies between states and can even vary depending on the specific Medicaid program within the state, as we see in New York,鈥� Yusupov said. 鈥淥ut-of-pocket costs for Medicare patients continue to leave these treatments out of reach for many people.鈥�
She also notes that some of the most meaningful price shifts this year have come directly from pharmaceutical manufacturers, as a result of political pressures and increased competition to gain market share. She states, 鈥溾�e have seen prices for Zepbound and Wegovy come down if purchased directly from these companies, bypassing retail pharmacies.鈥�