Oral GLP-1 medications for obesity have recorded a rapid start in the U.S. market, but their current footprint remains modest, according to a Bernstein provider survey fielded in mid-to-late May. The survey polled 25 U.S.-based healthcare providers across 14 states and a range of practice settings.
Most respondents reported that oral GLP-1s make up 10% or less of new weekly obesity prescriptions, signaling limited penetration in the early commercialization phase. Despite that low current share, clinicians broadly expect the oral agents to enlarge the total addressable population of patients seeking obesity treatment rather than to displace existing injectable therapies.
Providers said the oral formulations will likely draw patients who prefer to avoid injections. On balance, the surveyed clinicians predicted oral GLP-1s will remain under 50% of the overall treatment mix over the next few years, indicating an expectation of coexistence between oral and injectable options.
When asked about obstacles to longer-term uptake, providers consistently pointed to cost and insurance coverage as the primary issues. Price and access were the leading concerns affecting patients' ability to continue treatment, while tolerability problems were notably not raised as a material barrier in the survey responses.
In head-to-head perceptions of the competing oral products, providers viewed oral Wegovy from Novo Nordisk as more effective, while Foundayo was seen as simpler to use because it does not require fasting or specific food-timing. Tolerability was generally assessed as comparable between the two drugs.
Prescribing intention between the two agents appears essentially balanced, with approximately 52% of providers indicating intent to prescribe Foundayo versus 48% for Wegovy, suggesting no clear dominant preference at this stage.
Bernstein highlighted additional survey details showing 68% of providers favor Foundayo on ease of use, and 60% regard tolerability as equivalent across the two products. The firm also noted that Foundayo began television advertising during the NBA finals last night, three weeks earlier than anticipated.
Summary
The Bernstein provider survey indicates strong early interest in oral GLP-1 obesity therapies but limited current utilization. Clinicians expect oral formulations to expand the treated population rather than replace injectables, with cost and insurance coverage identified as the principal barriers to broader and sustained adoption. Perceptions of efficacy and ease of use differ between products, while tolerability is viewed as largely similar.
Key Points
- Survey of 25 U.S. providers across 14 states shows oral GLP-1s account for 10% or less of new weekly obesity prescriptions for most respondents - impacts healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
- Providers expect oral therapies to grow the total addressable patient base rather than replace injectables; oral share projected to remain below 50% in the next few years - relevant to insurers and drug manufacturers.
- Cost and insurance coverage are the dominant barriers to long-term adoption, affecting payer strategies and patient access.
Risks / Uncertainties
- Affordability and coverage risk - price and insurance access could limit patient persistence and uptake, with implications for payers and pharma revenue.
- Market-share uncertainty - with prescribing intent nearly split between Foundayo and Wegovy, neither product has an established advantage, creating uncertainty for manufacturers and investors.
- Adoption rate uncertainty - current low penetration (generally 10% or less of new prescriptions) leaves the pace and scale of adoption uncertain for stakeholders monitoring demand.