Half a million Australians are regularly using GLP-1 medicines: study
2026-07-31T09:00:00+10:00
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The number of Australians using GLP-1 injections has skyrocketed since 2020. A new study from UNSW Medicine & Health examines the split between subsidised and private access.
National estimates of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) use in Australia have revealed approximately half a million people are regularly using these medicines, and almost half of this group are paying between $200-$700 out-of-pocket to access them for conditions other than diabetes.
Researchers from UNSW Sydney said the numbers, published this week in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, confirm Australia is mirroring the global rise in consumer demand for GLP-1s, driven by rapid adoption of new therapies and significant growth in private prescriptions for weight management.
“Our data shows substantial shifts in the use of GLP-1 medicines, with total sales jumping from 58,000 in May 2020 to 500,000 in April 2025,” said lead author Associate Professor Michael Falster, Medicines Intelligence Research Program at UNSW Medicine & Health.
“Over the same five-year period, PBS-subsidised access increased steadily from 58,000 units in the first month to 280,000 units in the last. Private access surged from zero to 43.8% of total estimated use by April 2025.”
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How researchers quantified population-level trends in GLP-1 medicine use for the first time
“Data on subsidised access to GLP-1 medicines has been widely available in many countries, however, there has been a gap in information on private, non-subsidised use, making it harder for policymakers to make decisions on expanding access via Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme,” said A/Prof. Falster.
“Our aim was to quantify population-level trends in GLP-1 medicines usage, for the first time incorporating access both through the PBS and private sales.”
To do this, researchers used industry data to quantify total sales of GLP-1 medicines to community pharmacies, hospitals and other settings. They used PBS dispensing data to quantify subsidised access, and estimated private access by subtracting the total number of PBS dispensings from total units sold.
One important limitation of the study is that it focused on medicines listed only for diabetes treatment and doesn’t include data for the two GLP-1s marketed purely for weight loss – Saxenda and Wegovy – suggesting these estimates should be considered the absolute minimum Australian usage.
Total sales [jumped] from 58,000 in May 2020 to 500,000 in April 2025.
The GLP-1 therapies available in Australia and how they’re accessed
There are currently two classes of GLP-1 based therapies approved in Australia – glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), such as Ozempic, Trulicity, Victoza, and Wegovy, and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonists ((GIP)/GLP-1 RAs), such as Mounjaro.
While most were developed to treat type 2 diabetes, many have subsequently been found to offer health benefits for people with obesity and cardiovascular disease, and to reduce the risk of kidney failure in people with and without diabetes.
Subsidised access to these injections via the PBS, however, remains only available for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in people who meet strict criteria.
While there have been recent recommendations to expand subsidies on select GLP-1 medicines to people with obesity and established cardiovascular disease, this has not yet occurred.
“We know diabetes and obesity disproportionately affect people from low socio-economic groups,” said A/Prof. Falster.
“While it’s clear many people are willing to pay for private GLP-1 prescriptions, it’s also likely many people who would benefit will struggle to afford them.”
A/Prof. Falster also highlighted a growing need to strengthen the monitoring of patient care and outcomes, especially where use could be considered outside of approved indications and subsidised care.
“No matter if you access GLP-1 medicines through the PBS or otherwise, ongoing monitoring with your healthcare provider can help ensure the best outcomes,” said A/Prof. Falster.
“These medicines are not a ‘magic bullet’, and a coordinated care plan with diet and exercise can help ensure you maximise the benefits.
“We also know there are reports emerging of potential complications, such as weight regain when you stop taking GLP-1 medicines, and some very rare risks, such as potential vision loss in one eye.
"These risks highlight the importance of informed prescribing and appropriate monitoring, as well as the need for more data on their real-world safety and effectiveness.”
This study was funded by the Heart Foundation and the NHMRC Medicines Intelligence Centre of Research Excellence.
