Weight loss drugs transforming healthcare, may help with addiction
By Julie Steenhuysen and Caroline Stauffer
11:28 AM UTC – November 9, 2023
Revolutionary Weight Loss Drugs Could Transform Healthcare System
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Experts at the Reuters Events Total Health conference in Chicago this week revealed that a groundbreaking class of weight loss drugs is not only changing the way obesity is treated, but also has the potential to address other challenging conditions like substance abuse.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved Eli Lilly’s drug tirzepatide, known as Zepbound, for weight loss. This drug, belonging to the GLP-1 class, is already used to treat type 2 diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro. Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, or semaglutide, is another GLP-1 drug approved for obesity and sold as Ozempic for diabetes.
GLP-1 drugs mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone, regulating blood sugar, slowing digestion, and suppressing appetite. Studies have shown that Wegovy can lead to a 15% weight loss over 68 weeks, while Lilly’s drug, which also targets the GIP hormone, demonstrated weight loss of over 22% over 72 weeks.
Potential for Controlling Addiction and Lowering Healthcare Costs
Lawrence Tabak, principal deputy director at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), highlighted the potential of these drugs to control addiction and other metabolic conditions. While acknowledging that more research is needed and that the drugs have side effects, Tabak emphasized the new possibilities they offer in terms of obesity control and overall metabolism.
Walgreens, a major drugstore chain, has reported “enormous demand” for GLP-1 drugs. John Driscoll, president of U.S. healthcare at Walgreens Boots Alliance, believes that these drugs will revolutionize healthcare, although insurance reimbursement has not yet caught up with the demand.
It is worth noting that these drugs have a high price tag, with monthly costs exceeding $1,000. However, Tabak suggests that as time goes on, the prices may decrease, and the potential for lower healthcare costs due to reduced cardiovascular disease and related conditions should be considered.
Looking Beyond Obesity
While the impact of these weight loss drugs on consumer habits like snack food purchases remains to be seen, Driscoll believes that understanding their potential goes beyond just addressing obesity. He stated that Walgreens is ready to adapt to consumer preferences and that they are just scratching the surface of what these drugs can achieve.
Reporting by Julie Steenhuuysen and Caroline Stauffer; Writing by Deena Beasley; Editing by Jamie Freed
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How do GLP-1 drugs like tirzepatide and Wegovy revolutionize the treatment of obesity and address other challenging conditions?
Significant potential to not only transform the healthcare system but also address challenging conditions such as substance abuse. The groundbreaking class of weight loss drugs, specifically GLP-1 drugs, is revolutionizing the way obesity is treated.
One of the recently approved drugs is Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide, known as Zepbound, which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for weight loss. This drug belongs to the GLP-1 class and is already used to treat type 2 diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro. Another GLP-1 drug approved for obesity is Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, or semaglutide, sold as Ozempic for diabetes.
GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking the action of the GLP-1 hormone, which regulates blood sugar, slows digestion, and suppresses appetite. Studies have shown that Wegovy can lead to a 15% weight loss over 68 weeks, while Eli Lilly’s drug, which also targets the GIP hormone, demonstrated weight loss of over 22% over 72 weeks.
However, the potential of these drugs goes beyond weight loss. Lawrence Tabak, the principal deputy director at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), highlighted the drugs’ potential to control addiction and other metabolic conditions. While further research is needed and these drugs have side effects, Tabak emphasized the new possibilities they offer in terms of obesity control and overall metabolism.
The demand for GLP-1 drugs is already high, with major drugstore chain Walgreens reporting “enormous demand.” John Driscoll, president of U.S. healthcare at Walgreens Boots Alliance, believes that these drugs will revolutionize healthcare. However, insurance reimbursement has not yet caught up with the demand, posing a challenge.
In conclusion, the emergence of revolutionary weight loss drugs, specifically GLP-1 drugs, is transforming the healthcare system. These drugs not only offer a promising solution to obesity but also have the potential to address other challenging conditions like substance abuse. While further research is needed and challenges such as insurance reimbursement exist, the potential benefits these drugs offer are significant. The healthcare industry must continue to explore the possibilities presented by these drugs and work towards making them accessible to all who can benefit from them.
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