Emeka (Elvis) Duru
Insurance Design and Access to GLP-1 Therapies for Obesity: Exploring Coverage Barriers, Patient Preferences, and Real-World Outcomes
Abstract
Obesity affects more than 42% of U.S. adults and drives over $250 billion in medical spending each year. New medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists have transformed obesity care, yet most insurance plans still restrict or exclude coverage for weight-loss use. High out-of-pocket costs and administrative barriers prevent many patients from starting or staying on treatment. This project examines how insurance benefit design shapes access, affordability, and perceived value of GLP-1 therapies. Through patient and provider interviews, preference modeling, and analysis of national survey data, it will reveal how people value different plan features and how coverage structures affect financial burden. The results will guide payers and policymakers in creating value-aligned insurance designs that reflect patient priorities, promote equitable access, and support sustainable use of high-value obesity treatments.
I am deeply honored to receive the PhRMA Foundation grant. As a pharmacist who has witnessed patients forgo medications they couldn't afford, this fellowship supports my research on insurance barriers to obesity pharmacotherapy and my commitment to making life-changing treatments accessible to all.
