Primary care: A crucial adoption point for GLP-1s
Primary care physicians (PCPs) occupy a unique position in the treatment pathway. They are the first point of contact for over half of symptomatic HF and CKD patients, positioning them as critical gatekeepers in the treatment journey, whose initial decisions can determine the entire treatment pathway [Fig 1].
In CKD, our PCPs are more likely to initiate GLP-1s than SGLT-2 inhibitors. In HF, while PCPs initiate more patients on SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 adoption remains notable - almost 30% of their reported patients are in receipt of this therapy class. Across both conditions, GLP-1 usage is particularly to manage patients with high metabolic burden. This preference is probably, in part, driven by PCPs already being comfortable with prescribing GLP-1s for indications such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. This existing familiarity lowers the barrier to entry for utilising them in HF and CKD.
In HF, while PCPs initiate more patients on SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 adoption remains notable - almost 30% of their reported patients are in receipt of this therapy class.
Fig 1: Physician specialty that patients first presented their symptoms to (% patients)
Source: Ipsos CKD Therapy Monitor (February – April 2026, 220 physicians across US reporting on CKD patients; participating physicians were primary treaters and saw a minimum number of patients. Data collected online); Ipsos CKD Therapy Monitor (February – March 2026, 211 physicians across US reporting on HF patients; participating physicians were primary treaters and saw a minimum number of patients. Data collected online).
