Ozempic Demand Surges: Top States Revealed

A recent analysis has identified the U.S. states where residents are most actively searching for information on weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic. South Carolina emerged as the top state, with 11,101 searches per 100,000 people in the past 12 months.

These GLP-1 medications, designed to slow digestion and promote satiety, have significantly impacted the weight-loss market. Experts estimate that approximately one in eight Americans, totaling around 31 million individuals, have used these drugs at least once. Concurrently, national obesity rates have seen a slight reduction, with figures dropping from 42 percent to 40 percent between 2021 and 2023.

Following South Carolina, Alaska and Florida showed the next highest search volumes for GLP-1 medications. While search interest is high, the report clarifies that these figures represent online searches and not necessarily prescriptions filled. The data also indicates that states with the highest obesity rates do not always correlate with the highest search volumes for these drugs.

Interestingly, South Carolina's high search rate coincides with the 12th-highest obesity rate in the U.S. and a growing prevalence of diabetes diagnoses. Experts suggest the state's aging population, which is more susceptible to weight gain and diabetes, may also contribute to the increased interest in these medications.