Pharmaceutical companies are touting weight loss drugs as a solution to cut healthcare costs in the US. Denmark’s Novo Nordisk and US-based Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro have made significant progress in developing these medications, which were initially designed to treat type 2 diabetes. The FDA has given them the go-ahead signal, and they are being prescribed across the US.
These drugs work by amplifying natural signals that tell the body to stop eating. Clinical trials show that people can lose up to 15-20% of their body weight with consistent use of these medications. However, researchers are warning that these drugs may not be a sustainable solution to the obesity crisis.
One reason is that when patients stop taking these medications, they tend to regain their lost weight. This happens because the underlying issues with appetite control have not been addressed. Furthermore, losing weight can lead to muscle loss and decreased metabolism.
Despite their potential, analysts predict that the market for these drugs could be worth $130 billion by 2030. However, critics argue that reducing obesity-related healthcare costs may not be as simple as it seems. In fact, a recent study found that medical expenses for obese patients increased after starting these medications, with some rising by up to 46%.
While weight loss is an important step towards controlling other health issues like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, more research is needed to confirm the long-term effectiveness of these medications. For now, it remains unclear whether they will be a game-changer for addressing the US’s obesity epidemic or just a Band-Aid solution that masks underlying problems.
Source: https://finshots.in/archive/can-weight-loss-drugs-ozempic-wegovy-mounjaro-novo-nordisk-eli-lilly-reduce-healthcare-costs-elon-musk-usa