Harvard Study: Half of Adult Americans Eligible for Ozempic-Like Drugs

Broadcast Message

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are highly profitable for pharmaceutical companies, with semaglutide becoming the top-selling US drug in 2023 at $13.8 billion. A Harvard study reveals 137 million US adults may qualify for this costly treatment, prompting potential policy considerations for the new HHS administration. GLP-1 RAs lower blood sugar, aid weight loss, and benefit heart and kidney health, although weight loss effects are temporary.

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https://petermcculloughmd.substack.com/p/harvard-study-half-of-adult-americans

Harvard Study: Half of Adult Americans Eligible for Ozempic-Like Drugs Obesity, Diabetes, and Fat-Related Comorbidities Could Call for Once Weekly Injections Wed, 20 Nov 2024 10:02:54 GMT https://petermcculloughmd.substack.com/p/harvard-study-half-of-adult-americans By Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH

Glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are the current financial rainmakers for BIG PHARMA.

Shi et al from Harvard reported recently in JAMA Cardiology.

Rapidly increasing uptake of semaglutide made it the top-selling drug in the US in 2023, with net sales of $13.8 billion. Quantifying the number of US adults eligible for semaglutide may guide future policies for this high-cost therapy and clarify potential implications for pharmaceutical spending.

The authors conclude that approximately 137 million adults or half the of the US population could have a clinical indication for once weekly GLP-1 RA drugs. This budget breaking conclusion no doubt will have to be addressed by the incoming HHS administration led by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Shi I, Khan SS, Yeh RW, Ho JE, Dahabreh IJ, Kazi DS. Semaglutide Eligibility Across All Current Indications for US Adults. JAMA Cardiol. Published online November 18, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2024.4657

GLP-1 RAs mimic the actions of the GLP-1 hormone, which is released in the gut after eating. This stimulates the release of insulin and reduces blood sugar levels.

Benefits

GLP-1 RAs can help with:

Blood sugar : GLP-1 RAs are effective at lowering blood sugar levels after meals and during fasting. They are also unlikely to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Weight : GLP-1 RAs can help with weight reduction.

Heart health : GLP-1 RAs may have benefits for heart health, including reducing the risk of heart attacks.

Kidney function : GLP-1 RAs may have benefits for kidney function.

Thus there are significant benefits, however the effect on weight reduction is transient and about two thirds regain the weight that is lost after stopping the shots.

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Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH

President, McCullough Foundation