Wegovy and Ozempic

A study by Prime Therapeutics and Magellan Rx Management revealed that only a quarter of patients prescribed Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss continued the medications after two years, indicating challenges with long-term adherence. These drugs, part of the GLP-1 receptor agonists class, are costly and may necessitate extended use for significant benefits, sparking debates on their cost-effectiveness for patients, employers, and government health plans. Additionally, startups entering the weight loss medication market are facing scrutiny for making unverified claims about the drugs' long-term effects, contrasting with medical evidence that discontinuing GLP-1 medications often leads to weight regain. The high prices of these medications have drawn criticism from officials like President Joe Biden, warning of substantial annual costs if widely utilized.