- GLP-1 Agonists: These drugs, known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, are gaining prominence for their role in managing type 2 diabetes and aiding weight loss.
- Market Growth: Awareness of GLP-1 drugs is on the rise, with one in eight adults having taken a GLP-1 agonist for weight loss.
- Changing Landscape
- Unconventional Players: The market for GLP-1 drugs is evolving differently from typical pharmaceutical markets.
- Compounding Pharmacies: They are selling compounded versions of GLP-1 drugs directly to consumers.
- Gyms and Weight Loss Clinics: Some gyms are acquiring weight loss clinics with physicians who can prescribe GLP-1 drugs.
- Medical Spas: These spas are adding GLP-1 drugs to their offerings.
- Challenges and Concerns
- Comprehensive Care: Dr. Rekha Kumar, chief medical officer at Found (a weight care platform), raises concerns about comprehensive obesity care.
- Side Effects: GLP-1 products have side effects, and not all providers may handle them effectively.
- Dose Management: Proper dose escalation or de-escalation is crucial.
- Side Effect Management: Handling side effects requires expertise.
- Industry Response
- Patient Demand: Patients are increasingly requesting GLP-1 drugs, a departure from typical medicine-seeking behavior.
- Supply Challenges: Manufacturers like Novo Nordisk (Wegovy) and Eli Lilly (Zepbound) face challenges in meeting the high demand for obesity drugs.
- Expanding Capacity: Both companies are expanding manufacturing capacity.
- Beyond Weight Loss: GLP-1 drugs are being explored for other indications, including cardiovascular health and sleep apnea.
- Medical Device Sector: New GLP-1 data has implications beyond weight loss, impacting medical devices like CPAP machines.
- Collaboration and Solutions
- GLP-1 and Medical Devices: Awareness is growing that GLP-1 drugs and medical devices can complement each other.
- Example: GE Healthcare collaborates with Novo Nordisk to develop a non-invasive ultrasound treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
- Holistic Obesity Care: Obesity management should involve multiple stakeholders working together for a comprehensive solution.
Opportunities and Challenges with GLP-1 Drugs
