thehowlin Posted January 31 Posted January 31 We were having this discussion in one of our investing materminds this morning about the shifting dynamics of the economy over the next 5 years. The Business Opportunities (and Challenges) Weight-Loss Drugs Hold For Food, Fitness, and Fashion Brands Use of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have skyrocketed in the last several years, with some 15.5 million people, or 6% of adults in the U.S., saying they’ve tried them. Goldman Sachs analysts estimate the number of people in the U.S. taking GLP-1s could grow from today’s 2 million to 15 million in 2030. Companies like Noom and Nestlé have created products to cater to the medication users’ unique needs with products and services like smaller portion-sized meals and muscle-building fitness programs, while analysts anticipate brands focused solely on processed foods, for example, could see challenges ahead. People on these medications, which are getting more advanced every year, are showing early signs of impacting the liquor, tobacco, fast food, and processed food industries as people consume less of these products. ------------ Savile Row tailors bemoan Ozempic 'nightmare' of repeat alterations to save bespoke suits worth £7,000 each as they're forced to work overtime Savile Row's tailors are working overtime to alter bespoke £7,000 suits that no longer fit their Ozempic-taking clientele, a new report has revealed. The 'miracle' weight loss drug that was once Hollywood's best-kept secret is now easily available to anyone looking to drop a couple of sizes - and not just diabetes patients that jabs like Ozempic and Mounjaro were intended to help. It appears an unintended side effect of the drug has now struck some of Britain's known suitmakers, who are fed up with requests for repeat alterations from customers who have lost weight after taking these injections. Quote
StealthLobo Posted January 31 Posted January 31 The problem with GLP-1 agonists is that once you stop the medication the weight comes crashing back sometimes even more than before as some patients transitioned to a more unhealthy lifestyle, using the med as a crutch. Not sure if the system is the same, but when I practiced in the US, the drug companies would give the first couple months free with coupons. After the patients were "hooked", they had to pay out of pocket if the wanted to continue on the product. However, if they are causing a transition to a healthier lifestyle as well, then that's definitely a positive effect they are having. 3 Quote
RSF Posted January 31 Posted January 31 I'm taking Ozempic because I was diagnosed as Type 2. My A1C is below 6, and I've lost 60 pounds since Labor Day. No coupons because my insurance (the dreaded UHC) covers Ozempic. I miss pizza, though.... 2 Quote
StealthLobo Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 2/1/2025 at 8:21 AM, RSF said: I'm taking Ozempic because I was diagnosed as Type 2. My A1C is below 6, and I've lost 60 pounds since Labor Day. No coupons because my insurance (the dreaded UHC) covers Ozempic. I miss pizza, though.... I should have been more clear, sorry. *Coupons for weight loss Most insurances will cover the drug class for patients with a diagnosis of diabetes and the coupons are not needed. Quote
ridgeview2 Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 10:34 AM, StealthLobo said: The problem with GLP-1 agonists is that once you stop the medication the weight comes crashing back sometimes even more than before as some patients transitioned to a more unhealthy lifestyle, using the med as a crutch. Not sure if the system is the same, but when I practiced in the US, the drug companies would give the first couple months free with coupons. After the patients were "hooked", they had to pay out of pocket if the wanted to continue on the product. However, if they are causing a transition to a healthier lifestyle as well, then that's definitely a positive effect they are having. Is that the only adverse effect after using it? My doctor was recommending a weight loss type injection, it wasn't Ozempic but another brand I can't really remember off the top of my head. Anyways, I decided against until I know more about it and the after effects. Quote
StealthLobo Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 2/1/2025 at 8:40 AM, ridgeview2 said: Is that the only adverse effect after using it? My doctor was recommending a weight loss type injection, it wasn't Ozempic but another brand I can't really remember off the top of my head. Anyways, I decided against until I know more about it and the after effects. Nothing too series that is common. Pancreatitis can occur in some people, so as long as you monitor for it, you can safely stop the medication if it occurs. The most common side effects is nausea and diarrhea, so it's recommend to start on a low dose and slowly increase it. With any drug there will have to be a balance of risk vs benefit. If the benefit of losing weight helps protect you heart, liver and other vital organ systems, it's probably worth that risk. However, the issues I was referring to were the cost to the patient which might not be a thing anymore. When I was in the US, insurances would not pay for the drug for weight loss, so a pt would start on it for free for a few months, lose weight, love the drug, but now have to pay $500+ a month for it and would stop. The weight would then come crashing back. If insurances decide that it's less expensive to pay for the drug now than for a more serious complication due to obesity down the line (like an MI or liver failure), then the benefit could be worth it. Quote
RSF Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 1:29 PM, StealthLobo said: I should have been more clear, sorry. *Coupons for weight loss Most insurances will cover the drug class for patients with a diagnosis of diabetes and the coupons are not needed. I wasnt trying to start something. I've been overweight for quite a while, but my doctor went with Ozempic because it's is for Type 2 (weight loss being a side benefit). My A1C was fairly borderline to begin with. But I dont think I would have started on the medication if it weren't covered. I've definitely paid better attention to what I eat (except for the holidays), so Ozempic isnt the only reason I've lost weight. I also havent had a drink in 6 months...although my daughter almost pushed me toward the liquor cabinet this week..... 3 Quote
AztecAlien Posted January 31 Posted January 31 Pretty simple really. Calories in, calories out. For most Americans, Type 2 diabetes is preventable, treatable, and reversible with proper diet and exercise. The pharmaceutical industry prefers people not knowing that and would rather them continue being obese. 1 Quote
SWspartan Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 10:31 AM, azgreg said: Eat less - move more. Welcome to my Ted Talk. That's how I lost 68 pounds and reversed my pre-diabetes. Sweat equity baby! Running hills and lot's of 'em, lifting weights and I quit eating junk food. I'm glad I did it the hard way instead of taking a medical short cut and I think that's the only reason why I've kept it off for nearly 8 years. I'll never forget how much hard work it was. But to each his/her own. 👊 1 Quote
thehowlin Posted January 31 Author Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 1:31 PM, azgreg said: Eat less - move more. Welcome to my Ted Talk. That is the formula, and harder for most than it sounds. If it means I have less chance of being seated next to a “Customer of size” on a cross country plane trip, I’m all for it. Quote
SDSUfan Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 1/31/2025 at 2:07 PM, thehowlin said: That is the formula, and harder for most than it sounds. If it means I have less chance of being seated next to a “Customer of size” on a cross country plane trip, I’m all for it. It also has the same characteristic as a weight loss drug. If you stop, you'll gain the weight back. These drugs can be used to help break a cycle. Some folks are fat because they don't exercise and they don't exercise because they're too fat. 1 Quote
Hashbrowns Posted February 1 Posted February 1 On 1/31/2025 at 12:13 PM, AztecAlien said: Pretty simple really. Calories in, calories out. For most Americans, Type 2 diabetes is preventable, treatable, and reversible with proper diet and exercise. The pharmaceutical industry prefers people not knowing that and would rather them continue being obese. People already know that. And still one of the most obese countries in the world. GLP-1s should be free from the government considering how much they’ll save in medicaid/medicare spending later on. There are more positive side effects as well like curbing drug/alcohol addiction, benefits to liver, kidneys, reduced risk of alzheimers and parkinsons. Quote
Hashbrowns Posted February 1 Posted February 1 On 1/31/2025 at 10:34 AM, StealthLobo said: The problem with GLP-1 agonists is that once you stop the medication the weight comes crashing back sometimes even more than before as some patients transitioned to a more unhealthy lifestyle, using the med as a crutch. So the same as every drug on the market? The problem with statins is if you stop taking it your cholesterol will go right back up. The problem with omeprazole is your heart burn will just come back if you stop. The problem with zoloft is your depression will come right back, sometimes worse if you stop. The problem with alcohol is your soberness will come back if you stop. 1 Quote
AztecAlien Posted February 1 Posted February 1 On 2/1/2025 at 11:44 AM, Hashbrowns said: People already know that. And still one of the most obese countries in the world. GLP-1s should be free from the government considering how much they’ll save in medicaid/medicare spending later on. There are more positive side effects as well like curbing drug/alcohol addiction, benefits to liver, kidneys, reduced risk of alzheimers and parkinsons. The majority of people who become obese in this country is due to laziness and lifestyle choices and drugs shouldn't be necessary. For many, it's a choice. If you want to argue that drugs that are being used for weight loss have other benefits and should be affordable, then I would agree with you. Quote
Hashbrowns Posted February 1 Posted February 1 On 2/1/2025 at 11:03 AM, AztecAlien said: The majority of people who become obese in this country is due to laziness and lifestyle choices and drugs shouldn't be necessary. For many, it's a choice. I don’t really agree with you. It’s an evolutionary benefit to consume extra food so human brains are bingers out of the box. You have to go against human nature to eat less. That’s what makes it so hard for tens of millions. Not as easy as just making a choice. 1 Quote
StealthLobo Posted February 1 Posted February 1 On 2/2/2025 at 7:53 AM, Hashbrowns said: So the same as every drug on the market? The problem with statins is if you stop taking it your cholesterol will go right back up. The problem with omeprazole is your heart burn will just come back if you stop. The problem with zoloft is your depression will come right back, sometimes worse if you stop. The problem with alcohol is your soberness will come back if you stop. It's a little different. Does your infection come back when you stop antibiotics? Physical changes in the body vs chemical imbalances due to genetics. I was referring more to the price anyways. If it was more a helping drug like the stimulants, then it's not as big of a deal to stop the medication abruptly. With this class, when the patient can no longer afford it, most return back to their original weight once it's stopped. Quote
SalinasSpartan Posted February 1 Posted February 1 On 2/1/2025 at 11:03 AM, AztecAlien said: The majority of people who become obese in this country is due to laziness and lifestyle choices and drugs shouldn't be necessary. For many, it's a choice. If you want to argue that drugs that are being used for weight loss have other benefits and should be affordable, then I would agree with you. Obesity costs money. By that I mean, society (including you) collectively pays for it whether you or anybody wants to or not. Seems like the cheapest way to get the best outcomes should be the priority. Quote
AztecAlien Posted February 1 Posted February 1 On 2/1/2025 at 12:41 PM, SalinasSpartan said: Obesity costs money. By that I mean, society (including you) collectively pays for it whether you or anybody wants to or not. Seems like the cheapest way to get the best outcomes should be the priority. It shouldn't cost money if people weren't lazy. Most people have chosen to be obese and society and I are paying for it. That's BS. Quote
renoskier Posted February 1 Posted February 1 On 2/1/2025 at 11:44 AM, AztecAlien said: It shouldn't cost money if people weren't lazy. Most people have chosen to be obese and society and I are paying for it. That's BS. right...but it is what it is we're paying for it either way the question is should we subsidize the drug if it saves us money in the long run? Quote
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