Recently, the debate surrounding Novo Nordisk's (NVO) Wegovy and Eli Lilly's (LLY, Financial) Zepbound has shifted from questioning their effectiveness as weight-loss shortcuts to recognizing their broader health benefits. These GLP-1 drugs not only reduce obesity but also alleviate conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea, highlighting their significant societal value.
The rapid adoption of these medications is changing perceptions and treatments of obesity, presenting ethical dilemmas for healthcare professionals, such as determining who should receive these drugs. The FDA-approved market is vast, with millions of Americans eligible based on BMI criteria. However, the question remains whether everyone meeting these criteria requires medication.
Doctors face challenges due to drug shortages and high costs, necessitating prioritization of patients. An international committee of obesity experts will release a report in 2025 to better define clinical obesity and its health risks, potentially guiding more equitable drug distribution and insurance coverage policies.
