Becker's Roundup: Employer GLP-1 Coverage Drops, Safety Flags Rise
In its "9 GLP-1 updates to know" roundup, Becker's Hospital Review reports that employer coverage of GLP-1s for weight loss fell from 57% to 53%, the first decline in three years, with 91% of employers dropping or considering dropping coverage citing cost. HHS issued an interim policy saying it won't pursue enforcement against pharmacies compounding six unapproved peptides, including BPC-157 and TB-500, if certain adverse-event reporting conditions are met. Other items include a tirzepatide-lithium toxicity case report, an ACOG advisory on GLP-1 use while nursing, a Class II recall of compounded tirzepatide vials, a cardiovascular/infection outcomes study, and CMS data showing roughly 1.1 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in its GLP-1 discount pilot since its July 1 launch. The roundup also notes unverified FDA reports of deaths linked to illicit retatrutide products and a rise in poison center exposure calls.