Iran analysis finds semaglutide cost-effective for obesity, tirzepatide at $34,423 per QALY

The wire

1. 01The decision-tree model compared subcutaneous tirzepatide, semaglutide and liraglutide over 68 weeks in adults with BMI at least 30, or 27 with a weight-related complication; tirzepatide's incremental ratio was US$34,423.89 per QALY.
2. 02Payers and prescribers weighing incretin formulary choices get an explicit comparison against a willingness-to-pay threshold of about US$15,558.5 PPP per QALY, one times GDP per capita.
3. 03Effectiveness and adverse-event inputs came from published literature rather than head-to-head data, and the 68-week horizon excludes longer-term weight regain or complication costs.

From the source

Economic evaluation of tirzepatide, semaglutide, and liraglutide in the treatment of obese and overweight patients without diabetes: a short-term cost-effectiveness analysis in Iran

Journal of diabetes and metabolic disorders · 2026 Dec · Reiszadeh N, Radmanesh R, Heshmat R et al.