Black patients have less access to anti-obesity drugs, data shows

BOSTON – New drugs for obesity and diabetes may not be aimed at the patients who need them most. Again, we see health disparities when it comes to the distribution of these medications.

Demand for drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy has skyrocketed in recent months, but not everyone has equal access to them.

According to data from Epic Research, while black people are much more likely to have obesity and diabetes, white people are four times more likely to receive a prescription.

For what?

Largely because black and Hispanic patients are less likely to be insured, less likely to receive routine medical care, and tend to have less disposable income, while out-of-pocket costs for these medications can exceed $1,000 per month. Experts say these drugs should be more accessible to populations who need them most.