In order to better understand the full scope of the access challenges across the US for these critical medications, we launched the GLP-1 Supply Tracker so that anyone (not just our customers!) can share their challenges and be a part of advocating for continued access to the medications they need. This kind of tool isn’t new. However, given the size and scale we have as a company, we have a responsibility to understand the challenges individuals are experiencing and use our platform to face those challenges, both in our offerings and in our conversations with regulators.
Drugmakers themselves believe that demand for weight loss solutions will continue to outpace the supply of branded medications. There is no official report that truly captures the impact of shortages on the US, but we conducted research with our own customers and found that nearly 30% of Weight Loss customers who had been prescribed a branded GLP-1 product in the past were unable to fill it because the medication was not available at their pharmacy. Between January 2021 and December 2023, there was a 442% increase in branded semaglutide prescriptions at retail pharmacies, and that number is sure to rise as more people become aware of the many conditions these medications serve and the stigma around treating obesity as a disease recedes.
In just one week, we’re heard from nearly 7000 individuals through our GLP-1 Supply Tracker that they cannot access their medications, with branded semaglutide being the most challenging to access. We’ve actually been collecting data on access challenges across GLP-1s for 2 months through our intake form. Through that channel, nearly 80,000 customers have told us they cannot access the branded medications they’ve been prescribed. We’re using this data to advocate for our customers: we regularly share updated access information with state and federal regulatory and legislative bodies, so we can ensure they have the information they need when making decisions about nationwide healthcare access. This is part of our responsibility to the millions of customers who trust us with their healthcare.
We’re not just using our size and scale to advocate for our customers – we’re also using it to help customers access personalized weight loss solutions at affordable prices. Just because the shortage will end one day does not mean the branded drugs will become accessible for everyone who needs them.
Compounded GLP-1s not only help meet the intense current demand, but they also provide personalized treatments that can help individuals meet their desired outcomes. Outside of a shortage, compounding serves another purpose (and it has for decades): a personalized treatment for the individual. In weight loss specifically, personalized dosing to mitigate side effects is exactly the type of thing the compounding exemption is built for. Our holistic approach to weight loss is working for our customers, with GLP-1 customers losing an average of 9.3 pounds (around 4.1% of their initial body weight) in their first month, and 90% satisfied with their personalized dosing plan.1
Our data shows that our approach is also sustainable. Only 13% of our compounded GLP-1 customers cancel their treatment subscription in the first month.2 We believe our ability to help so many customers continue with their treatment plan is enhanced by the ability for providers on our platform to prescribe tailored, titrated dosing, which allows providers to help their patients manage side effects by gradually adjusting doses based on individual tolerance.
Just as our customers trust us with their challenging access experiences, they’re also trusting us with their weight loss journeys. We take our role in their journeys seriously and as more Americans fight for access to these life-changing medications, we’re prepared to partner with them to amplify their voice and get them closer to the care they need.
1 In a survey of 920 of Hims & Hers compounded GLP-1 customers.
2 As of October 1, 2024.
