Objective
To evaluate current stakeholder perception of GLP-1 therapy availability, access reliability, and behavioral shifts in a post-shortage stabilization phase.
Methodology
- 10 Physicians (Endocrinology + PCP)
- 5 Pharmacists
- 10 Patients
- Timing: Recent (improved supply environment)
- Geography: U.S.
Survey Findings
Ten current-scenario questions summarizing availability, access, behavior, and outlook.
Q1. Current availability of GLP-1 therapies
Availability- Adequate / consistent52%
- Mostly adequate with occasional gaps32%
- Still limited16%
Insight: Majority now perceive supply stabilization, a clear shift from prior shortage-driven sentiment.
Q2. Difficulty accessing GLP-1 medications in the past 3 months
Access- No issues48%
- Rare / occasional issues36%
- Frequent issues16%
Insight: Access challenges are now sporadic rather than systemic.
Q3. Products still facing intermittent constraints
Products- Semaglutide (select doses/forms)44% mentions
- Tirzepatide28% mentions
- No meaningful constraints40%
Insight: Issues are now dose-specific and localized, not brand-wide shortages.
Q4. Response when preferred GLP-1 is unavailable
Behavior- Wait for restock (no switch)40%
- Switch within GLP-1 class36%
- Minimal disruption / no issue24%
Insight: With improved supply, switching pressure has decreased, and patients/providers are more willing to wait.
Q5. Supply influence on prescribing behavior (Physicians)
Physicians- No major impact now50%
- Still consider supply reliability30%
- Continue cautious prescribing20%
Insight: Prescribing is returning to clinical-first decision-making, though some residual caution remains.
Q6. Pharmacy stock-out frequency
Pharmacy- Rare60%
- Occasional (monthly)30%
- Frequent10%
Insight: Stock-outs are now exceptional rather than routine.
Q7. Patient experience: therapy disruption due to availability
Patients- No disruption58%
- Minor delays28%
- Required switch / stop14%
Insight: Continuity of care has significantly improved, reducing adherence risk.
Q8. Perception of future supply in the next 6 months
Outlook- Will remain stable / improve64%
- Some uncertainty24%
- May worsen12%
Insight: Market sentiment is now cautiously optimistic, driven by capacity expansion.
Q9. Factors shaping current supply dynamics
Dynamics- Expanded manufacturing capacity68%
- Better supply chain coordination40%
- Demand still high but manageable44%
Insight: Supply is catching up with demand, rather than demand overwhelming supply.
Q10. Current access barriers
Barriers- Insurance / prior authorization52%
- Cost / affordability44%
- Supply issues20%
Insight: Access challenges have shifted from supply to affordability and coverage.
Key Takeaways
Supply is largely normalized, with only minor, localized gaps.
Shortage-driven behavior such as switching and delays has declined significantly.
Prescribing is re-centering on clinical preference rather than availability.
Pharmacy-level disruptions are now infrequent.
The primary barrier has shifted to payer dynamics such as coverage and cost.
The outlook is stable to improving, supported by manufacturer scale-up.
Strategic Implications
Focus shifts from capacity crisis management to demand optimization, with opportunity to expand the patient base, especially in obesity.
Providers can resume guideline-driven prescribing with less need for contingency planning.
Payers are becoming the primary access gatekeepers and are likely to tighten utilization management.
Bottom Line
The GLP-1 market has moved out of broad shortage mode and into a more stable environment where affordability, coverage, and dose-level variability now matter more than system-wide supply disruption.
64%
Expect stable or improving supply
52%
Cite insurance or prior auth as a barrier
