FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — With weight-loss pills being released in the U.S. for the first time, the intensely competitive weight-loss market is becoming more affordable. Local experts are now weighing in, predicting that prices will continue to drop.
Wegovy, a drug that has been used for years to treat diabetes, has also been used to treat individuals who are overweight or diagnosed with obesity. But now, patients can opt to take 1.5 or 4 milligram doses orally, instead of injecting the medication.
Although the oral form is slightly less effective, doctors say it’s opening the market to many more potential customers.
“They’re either afraid of needles, or don’t prefer to do injectables, or they have other comorbidities that don’t allow for injectables,” said Dr. Mandeep Gill of Inspire Health Endocrinology in Fresno. Gill and her colleagues help guide patients in achieving their weight-loss goals.
Gill told Action News that demand for the Wegovy pill is already growing after its release was announced Monday.
Health professionals recommend taking it 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking any other medicine, to allow the pill to take effect.
“They work both on the brain and on the gut,” said Gill, going on to explain the medicine is designed to have an impact on both the brain and the gut, reducing cravings, as well as activity in the gastrointestinal system.
Though the pill is new, the medicine itself has been around for some time.
Originally it was used to treat patients with diabetes… but treatment is now expanding to individuals who are overweight or are dealing with obesity.
While the market grows, prices are dropping.
“Having it available through commercial insurance from day one, and available in brick-and-mortar pharmacies like CVS and Costco. But then also partnering with Telehealth companies,” said Dave Moore, Executive Vice President of U.S. Operations for Novo Nordisk.
Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk is selling the pills at $149 per month for lower doses and $299 for higher doses, compared with the $350 price for all strengths of the injectable counterpart.
Gill says she believes the downward trend in prices will continue.
“I think we can foresee that there will be obviously more competition in terms of in driving down the prices of these medications,” she said.
But as weight loss drugs become more affordable, she warns against jumping immediately to an easy fix before trying to lose weight naturally.
She suggests changing your diet and increasing your movement before committing to a medication that will likely induce side effects.
“So, we generally start with those changes first, and then you intervene with the pharmacological treatment,” Gill said.
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