Posted on Jul 6, 2021
Obesity Drug's Promise Now Hinges On Insurance Coverage
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https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/07/06/ [login to see] /obesity-drugs-promise-now-hinges-on-insurance-coverage
When a promising new drug to treat obesity was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sale in the U.S. last month, it was the first such treatment to gain approval since 2014.
In clinical trials, weekly injections of semaglutide — or Wegovy, as it's been branded -- helped people drop an average of 15% of their body weight. That's an average of about 34 pounds over 16 months, before their weight plateaued, a far greater weight loss, obesity specialists say, than achieved with other drugs on the market. At least as important, Wegovy raised none of the alarm bells with the FDA or obesity doctors that it might trigger serious side effects of the sort experienced by some people taking fen-phen or some previous medical treatments for obesity.
But with a price tag for Wegovy of $1,000 to $1,500 a month, a very big question remains: Will insurers cover its significant cost for the many millions of people like Marleen Greenleaf, who might benefit?
When a promising new drug to treat obesity was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sale in the U.S. last month, it was the first such treatment to gain approval since 2014.
In clinical trials, weekly injections of semaglutide — or Wegovy, as it's been branded -- helped people drop an average of 15% of their body weight. That's an average of about 34 pounds over 16 months, before their weight plateaued, a far greater weight loss, obesity specialists say, than achieved with other drugs on the market. At least as important, Wegovy raised none of the alarm bells with the FDA or obesity doctors that it might trigger serious side effects of the sort experienced by some people taking fen-phen or some previous medical treatments for obesity.
But with a price tag for Wegovy of $1,000 to $1,500 a month, a very big question remains: Will insurers cover its significant cost for the many millions of people like Marleen Greenleaf, who might benefit?
Obesity Drug's Promise Now Hinges On Insurance Coverage
Posted from npr.org
Drugs
Pharmaceuticals
Insurance
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 1
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Ya gotta have a drug to lose?? Maybe some people. I'm old fashioned; exercise and diet. I took up baking for the pandemic incarceration. Well 50 lbs later.............. On the bright side, I can do a cherry lattice pie crust in my sleep. LOL. Anyway, a balanced meal with 50% on the veggies, some exercises (1/2 hour daily and you gotta get the heart rate up), and walking a few miles 3-4 times a week have helped me dump 16 of those pounds. I'm averaging the 2 pounds a week that is an accepted safe weight loss rate. Now if only that blasted bursitis stays away!!
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Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
SGT (Join to see) - Agreed...I used to not think so but I believe some obesity is genetic...I am at the gym 5 days a week 45 minutes of aerobic at my target heart rate, then 45 minutes of weight lifting...not heavy weights just reps with light weight. Have not lost a pound in three years. I also eat a balanced diet, higher on protein with no carbs but it is what it is. I am a little over weight but not sedentary and so was my father.
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