STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about employer coverage of obesity drugs, another Sanofi setback, and more

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about employer coverage of obesity drugs, another Sanofi setback, and more Expanding use of obesity drugs in the U.K. has wiped about $1 billion off annual grocery spending Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanJune 11, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Top of the morning to you, and a fine one it is. Sunny skies and mild breezes are enveloping the Pharmalot campus once again, making it possible for the official mascots to eat breakfast on the deck and take long naps. As for us, we are firing up the trusty kettle to make another cuppa stimulation. Our choice today is English breakfast, an old standby. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest. Hope you have a meaningful and productive day and, of course, do stay in touch. … Some employers are planning to drop coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss next year as more people take the medications, counteracting some savings from lower prices for Novo Nordisk’s and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound ​and Foundayo, Reuters reports. About 10% of employers who now cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss said they planned to drop the ‌drugs in 2027, according to the Business Group on Health, a policy research group for large employers. A second survey by benefits consultancy Mercer said 5% of large employers — which it defines as employing over 500 people — plan to drop coverage in 2027. Mercer said 44% of ​companies with more than 500 employees cover the drugs for obesity. Data from the Business Group on Health show ​67% of large employers cover GLP-1s in 2026.Advertisement Rapidly expanding use of weight loss medicines in the U.K. has wiped about $1 billion off annual grocery spending, Bloomberg News writes. Households with at least one user of GLP-1 weight loss drugs bought 299 million fewer food items in the year after adoption of the medication, with users reporting a dwindling number of cravings and cutting back on treats like chocolate and potato chips, according to a study from Worldpanel by Numerator. Use of the drugs has nearly tripled in two years, the group said, with 6.3% of households in the U.K. including at least one current user of GLP-1s such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. That’s up from 4.1% in 2025 and 2.3% in 2024. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In pharmalittle, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Pharmalot June 10, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about U.S. pressure on European drug prices, longer shortages, and more Pharmalot June 9, 2026 STAT Plus: The shortage of many medicines in the U.S. remains a ‘systemic’ problem, a new analysis finds Advertisement Pharmalot June 9, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a $10.6 billion GSK deal, an AstraZeneca obesity pill, and more Pharmalot June 8, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Lilly and Pfizer obesity drug data, Roche and J&J deals, and more Pharmalot June 5, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Subscriber Picks