Hollywood? Upper East Side?…Nope….Bowling Green, Kentucky
8/11/24
As most of my followers know, I have been chronicling the emerging science behind GLP-1 drugs - commonly bunched into one name “Ozempic” - and their evolving impact on our society. The enclosed article is a bellwether for what is and will be happening at small and not so small towns near you.
America has an obesity and overweight epidemic. Call it lifestyle decisions, disease or both, it is deeply entrenched in a country where fast food is king - and cheaper and more accessible than farm fresh foods. A country where treatment >>>> prevention (the former spurs Big Pharma economy and their influence on political decisions that impact public health….the latter? Not so much). A country where driving is a necessity and walking and biking are not revered or encouraged (particularly in non-big city milieus).
The Immediate Future:
MORE…
1. Prescriptions for GLP-1
2. Compounding pharmacies producing look-a-like drugs that are much cheaper
3. Demand for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound
4. Very rare adverse events documented….and perhaps unexpected ones
5. Pressure on insurance companies and employers to cover these drugs ($1,000-1,200 per month)
6. More Big Pharma company spending on R&D to develop new and better drugs, including pill form (all current GLP-1s require a weekly shot)
7. Bankruptcies/closures of businesses forced to cover these drugs in their employee coverage options
8. More clinical studies documenting more long term follow up as well as the outcomes for other clinical conditions - Alzheimer’s, cancer, addictive behaviors (alcohol, drug abuse, gambling)
9. More Med-spas, lifestyle locales opening and offering these drugs - without the need for prescriptions or with non-MD prescriptions (NPs, PAs)
10. Discussion in government about the economic consequences of the GLP-1 economy and how to best deal with it (partic coverage and cost)
11. “Before” and “After” selfies
LESS…
1. Business for fast food joints, restaurants, and any food related entities. The economic ramifications are too broad to enumerate.
2. Bariatric surgery and perhaps less weight regain after bariatric surgery
3. Difficulty accessing these drugs as competition explodes - new brands and increasing compounding
4. “Miracle diets” and products on Instagram and all SM
HOPES…
1. Less obesity, overweight in the US
2. Less diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia which will inevitably and happily lead to less coronary, cerebrovascular and peripheral arterial diseases
3. #2 will lead to less hospitalizations and deaths
4. #3 will ultimately lead to less health costs and greater ability to spend money on other efforts - Medicare, Medicaid and Obamacare are 3 of the 4 most expensive government programs
5. Lower costs as the duopoly (Novo Nordisk - Eli Lilly) disappears
#glp1 #ozempic #mounjaro #wegovy #zepbound #economy #obesity #elililly #novonordisk
https://lnkd.in/e7M9jVcF
Communications Recruiter and Founder of KC Partners
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