During Super Bowl Sunday, viewers were drawn into a heated topic after seeing an ad from Hims & Hers, a telehealth company. The ad took aim at the American healthcare system, claiming it’s set up to profit off people’s struggles with obesity. It then advertised the company’s weight-loss medications, leading to quite a stir.
Before the game aired, a pharmaceutical trade group and government officials raised concerns. They worried that the ad could mislead people about the risks and side effects associated with these drugs. Despite the backlash, the ad was broadcast as planned.
The controversy reflects the complex issues surrounding weight loss in America today, as noted by Drs. Justin Ryder and Veronica Johnson from Northwestern University. Ryder pointed out that while these drugs can involve risks, the ad highlights a larger problem—many people feel desperate for solutions, especially when insurance doesn’t cover safe options. “These companies are taking advantage of that,” he said.
Many people are turning to compounded weight-loss drugs because they often can’t get coverage for approved medications like semaglutide or tirzepetide. As Ryder explained, compounded versions can be expensive but typically cost less than FDA-approved alternatives.
However, the debate over compounded medications might soon lose its relevance. Johnson mentioned that compounded drugs are usually recommended only during supply shortages. Currently, tirzepetide is no longer on the FDA’s shortage list, and semaglutide is expected to follow suit soon.
Ryder and Johnson’s main concerns about compounded weight-loss medications lie in their safety. Unlike FDA-approved drugs, compounded medications don’t undergo the same rigorous manufacturing standards. “You can’t be sure of what you’re getting,” Ryder cautioned. He highlighted that established companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk would face severe consequences if impurities were found in their products.
Both doctors stressed the potential risks, including side effects and unknown long-term effects. “We don’t know about the potency or how effective these drugs are,” Johnson said. There are even reports that some marketed products may not contain what they claim to.
For more insights on GLP-1-based medications, you might find it helpful to listen to a podcast featuring Dr. Ryder where he explains these issues in greater detail.
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