health
America Has a New GLP-1 Playbook
First a shot to lose weight, then a pill to keep it off.
TL;DR
- New GLP-1 weight-loss pills, such as Eli Lilly's Foundayo and oral Wegovy, are less effective than injectables but offer greater convenience for long-term weight maintenance.
- The pills aim to reduce the psychological and logistical burden associated with weekly injections, which require refrigeration and a strict schedule.
- While pills are generally cheaper than their injectable counterparts, their cost remains substantial, especially for those paying out-of-pocket or lacking insurance coverage.
- Eli Lilly's Foundayo is noted for its simpler manufacturing process as it's not a peptide, potentially leading to price reductions over time.
- Doctors are cautiously optimistic about switching patients to pills for maintenance, seeing it as a step towards normalcy, but more long-term data is needed.
- The high cost of GLP-1 drugs, including the new pills, continues to be a major barrier, with limited insurance coverage, particularly for Medicare beneficiaries.