OBJECTIVES: To investigate real-world prescriptions for obesity in Spain.

METHODS: Prescription data from IQVIA’s EPM (Estudio de Prescripciones Médicas) extracted on the 22/06/2024 were analyzed. The EPM is a study conducted on a quarterly basis with a sample of 965 physicians from over 19 medical specialties practicing in Spain, representing 0.5% of the universe. Prescription data is then extrapolated to the whole universe. The survey collects anonymized data on retail product prescriptions made by physicians to their patients, including data on the patient’s characteristics, type of consultation, prescribing physician, posology, and associated diagnosis. All prescriptions over 36 months (02/2021-03/2024) associated with a diagnosis of obesity (E66 Obesidad) were extracted. Then, all prescriptions for the molecules that had been prescribed for obesity were extracted to compare the characteristics of the patients according to the indication.

RESULTS: Over the last 12 months (February 2023 – March 2024), thirteen different molecules have been prescribed for obesity in Spain. Prescriptions for obesity have grown at an average of 27.1% per year during the observation period. Three molecules accounted for 81.9% of all obesity prescriptions during this period, namely liraglutide, semaglutide, and orlistat. Topiramate ranked as the 4^th most prescribed for obesity. The characteristics of the patients being prescribed liraglutide, semaglutide, or orlistat for obesity have been contrasted with those of patients receiving it for diabetes mellitus (DM). While 74.2% of prescriptions for DM were made to patients aged 55 years old or more, the percentage reduced to 30.5% when the prescription was for obesity. There were also differences by sex, with 71.2% of female patients in the obesity group vs. 50.4% in the DM group.

CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that, despite the lack of reimbursement in Spain for treatments for obesity, there is a growing demand for them, as observed through real-world prescription data.