Latest news with #Zepbound
India Today
an hour ago
- Business
- India Today
US employers to cut health benefits amid soaring weight-loss drug costs: Survey
More than half of large US employers are planning to scale back healthcare benefits in 2026, as rising costs — driven largely by expensive weight-loss and speciality drugs — strain corporate budgets, according to a new survey by consulting firm survey, released on Wednesday, found that 51 per cent of companies with 500 or more employees intend to increase cost-sharing, such as higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums --- that's a notable jump from the 45 per cent of employers who said they would take similar measures for dramatic rise in popularity — and cost—of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Novo Nordisk's Wegovy has become a key pressure point, the consultancy said. "More clients are saying ... 'I don't know how much longer we can sustain covering these medications'," said Alysha Fluno, a pharmacy innovation leader at Mercer, in an some employers have covered GLP-1s hoping for long-term health savings, rising prices are forcing a rethink: "Some employers facing big cost increases in 2026 may feel this coverage is out of reach," Fluno Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound are listed at USD 1086 and USD 1059, respectively, but many patients pay less through their health to the survey, prescription drug costs jumped 8% last year. Mercer has forecast a 5.8 per cent rise in overall health benefit costs for 2025. Employers are also eyeing alternatives to traditional pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), according to such as CVS Caremark, Cigna's Express Scripts, and UnitedHealthcare's Optum Rx act as middlemen between drug companies and consumers. They negotiate volume discounts and fees with drug manufacturers on behalf of employers and health plans, create lists of medications that are covered by insurance, and reimburse pharmacies for say they take an undisclosed cut of the discounts they receive rather than sharing them with patients and survey found 40 per cent of employers are considering alternative contracting models for their prescription medicine benefits, such as those that price drugs based on their cost to the pharmacy.- EndsWith inputs from Reuters
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
As a reporter, I've covered all things GLP-1. Here's what I've learned.
I have to admit: When I was assigned to write my first story about the blockbuster weight loss drug Ozempic in 2023, I groaned. Yes, weight loss drugs always generate feverish interest, but historically, they've both fed on and fueled an unhealthy cultural obsession with thinness and have inevitably become tabloid fodder. So many weight loss medications of yore have also turned out to have truly scary side effects. So I was skeptical, to say the least. Two years and dozens of interviews and articles later, I must say: I had it completely wrong. These medications have changed people's lives in ways I never would have anticipated, and it's very much not just about 'getting skinny.' There's still an abundance of misinformation about this class of medications — which includes Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound — online and even in doctors' offices. But I've had the great fortune to learn so much about these GLP-1 medications from experts and patients alike. Here are four of the biggest lessons they've taught me. 1. People using GLP-1 medications aren't just 'taking the easy way out.' You've probably seen someone online make the accusation, so-and-so lost weight, they must be taking Ozempic — cheater. But what you might not see is all of the work people on these medications are doing behind the scenes. Research has found that people on GLP-1 drugs will likely lose some weight even if they don't exercise or intentionally change their dietary habits. But people on these medications can lose more weight — and help sustain it — if they do. Many people I've spoken to were already following intense workout regimens and strict diets before starting on a GLP-1. Still others had always wanted to exercise and finally had the energy or physical ability to do so after losing weight on these medications. Before I started reporting on GLP-1s, I knew that obesity was a disease, and still I was shocked by just how hard people had been fighting it on their own. One person I interviewed for Yahoo's On My Weigh series, Michael Donnelly, who tried countless diet and exercise routines before taking a GLP-1, put it best: 'What people forget about the disease of obesity is that [those of us with it] know more about it than anyone else, and we've gained and lost weight more times than they can imagine.' 2. These medications do more than facilitate weight loss While they can't rightly be called 'miracle drugs,' the newfound energy and ability to exercise are two of many surprising effects GLP-1s seem to have beyond just making weight loss easier. Take Taylor McDaniels, for example. The 24-year-old used to sleep 12 hours, wake up listless at noon and rely on DoorDash for most meals. Favorite post-work activities included bed rotting and scrolling, McDaniels previously told Yahoo. Then, she started taking GLP-1s (first, compounded semaglutide, followed by compounded tirzepatide). Now, McDaniels loves a 9 a.m. Sam's Club run. She hits the gym as soon as she's done with work, and she meal preps. As a result, McDaniels has lost at least 58 pounds, but it's the habit changes that mean the most to her. 'That's the thing about my health journey: My mind feels more at peace, and I'm able to meal plan and feel more organized and prepared for the day,' she says. Researchers are also studying semaglutide — the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic — for its potential to help people quit smoking and curb alcohol cravings. We're still a long way from these medications being prescribed for addiction, but, anecdotally, people I've spoken to are already seeing their effects. While some people describe experiencing 'food noise' — constant, intrusive thoughts about food that tend to quiet down on these medications — Johnna Byrd had 'alcohol noise.' After her son was born in 2023, she weighed 350 pounds and was a self-described alcoholic. But taking compounded tirzepatide, her cravings turned to 'complete silence,' Byrd previously told Yahoo. 3. It's not all about vanity It's easy to assume that people taking weight loss drugs are simply in pursuit of thinness. But don't. Every person I've spoken to about taking these medications has emphasized that, whether or not they had diagnosed health conditions, they simply wanted to feel better — and did, after taking a GLP-1. Renata D'Agrella, for example, told me she loved her body before taking Zepbound. In fact, she feared that her hundreds of thousands of social media followers would feel betrayed by her weight loss journey because her content had always been body-positive. But beyond the camera lens, 28-year-old D'Agrella was in physical pain and ultimately decided she had to prioritize her health. Her aches, anxieties and 'crippling' food noise were all quelled with the help of a GLP-1. After a lifelong struggle with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a chronic condition that can cause women pain and infertility, in addition to weight gain, it was a GLP-1 that finally gave Branneisha Cooper hope. For her, weight loss was great, but getting her period back? That's been the real win. Cooper's doctor even told her she can likely have a healthy pregnancy now. And even better: She's broken a generational curse. Most of Cooper's family has suffered from type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related conditions. Now, many of them are on GLP-1s and seeing improvements to their health too. 'It's impacted not only me, but my family. Selfishly, I want my mom and grandparents to be around longer, so it's been a huge blessing,' she previously told Yahoo. 4. Protein is priority (but eat your fruits and veggies too) As you may have noticed, we're in our protein era. Celebrities, from Khloe Kardashian to Venus Williams, are launching or promoting protein shakes, powder, popcorn and more. While our current protein obsession isn't entirely the result of the surging popularity of GLP-1s, they likely have something to do with it. Here's why: People taking GLP-1s who drop a significant amount of weight are at risk of losing muscle as well as fat. To counteract that, eating plenty of protein is key. GLP-1 users have created communities online where they share tips on the best high-protein low-fat fast food options, their hacks for protein coffee (aka 'proffee') and easy-to-make air fryer meals. Many people I've spoken to prepare for their weekly shot days — after which the effects of GLP-1s may feel strongest — by super-loading on protein, which doesn't just help prevent muscle loss but can also reduce side effects, including nausea. But protein alone isn't enough. While on these medications, each meal needs to pack the fullest nutritional punch possible so that people get enough of all the essential nutrients.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
As a reporter, I've covered all things GLP-1. Here's what I've learned.
I have to admit: When I was assigned to write my first story about the blockbuster weight loss drug Ozempic in 2023, I groaned. Yes, weight loss drugs always generate feverish interest, but historically, they've both fed on and fueled an unhealthy cultural obsession with thinness and have inevitably become tabloid fodder. So many weight loss medications of yore have also turned out to have truly scary side effects. So I was skeptical, to say the least. Two years and dozens of interviews and articles later, I must say: I had it completely wrong. These medications have changed people's lives in ways I never would have anticipated, and it's very much not just about 'getting skinny.' There's still an abundance of misinformation about this class of medications — which includes Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound — online and even in doctors' offices. But I've had the great fortune to learn so much about these GLP-1 medications from experts and patients alike. Here are four of the biggest lessons they've taught me. 1. People using GLP-1 medications aren't just 'taking the easy way out.' You've probably seen someone online make the accusation, so-and-so lost weight, they must be taking Ozempic — cheater. But what you might not see is all of the work people on these medications are doing behind the scenes. Research has found that people on GLP-1 drugs will likely lose some weight even if they don't exercise or intentionally change their dietary habits. But people on these medications can lose more weight — and help sustain it — if they do. Many people I've spoken to were already following intense workout regimens and strict diets before starting on a GLP-1. Still others had always wanted to exercise and finally had the energy or physical ability to do so after losing weight on these medications. Before I started reporting on GLP-1s, I knew that obesity was a disease, and still I was shocked by just how hard people had been fighting it on their own. One person I interviewed for Yahoo's On My Weigh series, Michael Donnelly, who tried countless diet and exercise routines before taking a GLP-1, put it best: 'What people forget about the disease of obesity is that [those of us with it] know more about it than anyone else, and we've gained and lost weight more times than they can imagine.' 2. These medications do more than facilitate weight loss While they can't rightly be called 'miracle drugs,' the newfound energy and ability to exercise are two of many surprising effects GLP-1s seem to have beyond just making weight loss easier. Take Taylor McDaniels, for example. The 24-year-old used to sleep 12 hours, wake up listless at noon and rely on DoorDash for most meals. Favorite post-work activities included bed rotting and scrolling, McDaniels previously told Yahoo. Then, she started taking GLP-1s (first, compounded semaglutide, followed by compounded tirzepatide). Now, McDaniels loves a 9 a.m. Sam's Club run. She hits the gym as soon as she's done with work, and she meal preps. As a result, McDaniels has lost at least 58 pounds, but it's the habit changes that mean the most to her. 'That's the thing about my health journey: My mind feels more at peace, and I'm able to meal plan and feel more organized and prepared for the day,' she says. Researchers are also studying semaglutide — the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic — for its potential to help people quit smoking and curb alcohol cravings. We're still a long way from these medications being prescribed for addiction, but, anecdotally, people I've spoken to are already seeing their effects. While some people describe experiencing 'food noise' — constant, intrusive thoughts about food that tend to quiet down on these medications — Johnna Byrd had 'alcohol noise.' After her son was born in 2023, she weighed 350 pounds and was a self-described alcoholic. But taking compounded tirzepatide, her cravings turned to 'complete silence,' Byrd previously told Yahoo. 3. It's not all about vanity It's easy to assume that people taking weight loss drugs are simply in pursuit of thinness. But don't. Every person I've spoken to about taking these medications has emphasized that, whether or not they had diagnosed health conditions, they simply wanted to feel better — and did, after taking a GLP-1. Renata D'Agrella, for example, told me she loved her body before taking Zepbound. In fact, she feared that her hundreds of thousands of social media followers would feel betrayed by her weight loss journey because her content had always been body-positive. But beyond the camera lens, 28-year-old D'Agrella was in physical pain and ultimately decided she had to prioritize her health. Her aches, anxieties and 'crippling' food noise were all quelled with the help of a GLP-1. After a lifelong struggle with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a chronic condition that can cause women pain and infertility, in addition to weight gain, it was a GLP-1 that finally gave Branneisha Cooper hope. For her, weight loss was great, but getting her period back? That's been the real win. Cooper's doctor even told her she can likely have a healthy pregnancy now. And even better: She's broken a generational curse. Most of Cooper's family has suffered from type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related conditions. Now, many of them are on GLP-1s and seeing improvements to their health too. 'It's impacted not only me, but my family. Selfishly, I want my mom and grandparents to be around longer, so it's been a huge blessing,' she previously told Yahoo. 4. Protein is priority (but eat your fruits and veggies too) As you may have noticed, we're in our protein era. Celebrities, from Khloe Kardashian to Venus Williams, are launching or promoting protein shakes, powder, popcorn and more. While our current protein obsession isn't entirely the result of the surging popularity of GLP-1s, they likely have something to do with it. Here's why: People taking GLP-1s who drop a significant amount of weight are at risk of losing muscle as well as fat. To counteract that, eating plenty of protein is key. GLP-1 users have created communities online where they share tips on the best high-protein low-fat fast food options, their hacks for protein coffee (aka 'proffee') and easy-to-make air fryer meals. Many people I've spoken to prepare for their weekly shot days — after which the effects of GLP-1s may feel strongest — by super-loading on protein, which doesn't just help prevent muscle loss but can also reduce side effects, including nausea. But protein alone isn't enough. While on these medications, each meal needs to pack the fullest nutritional punch possible so that people get enough of all the essential nutrients. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
As a reporter, I've covered all things GLP-1. Here's what I've learned.
I have to admit: When I was assigned to write my first story about the blockbuster weight loss drug Ozempic in 2023, I groaned. Yes, weight loss drugs always generate feverish interest, but historically, they've both fed on and fueled an unhealthy cultural obsession with thinness and have inevitably become tabloid fodder. So many weight loss medications of yore have also turned out to have truly scary side effects. So I was skeptical, to say the least. Two years and dozens of interviews and articles later, I must say: I had it completely wrong. These medications have changed people's lives in ways I never would have anticipated, and it's very much not just about 'getting skinny.' There's still an abundance of misinformation about this class of medications — which includes Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound — online and even in doctors' offices. But I've had the great fortune to learn so much about these GLP-1 medications from experts and patients alike. Here are four of the biggest lessons they've taught me. 1. People using GLP-1 medications aren't just 'taking the easy way out.' You've probably seen someone online make the accusation, so-and-so lost weight, they must be taking Ozempic — cheater. But what you might not see is all of the work people on these medications are doing behind the scenes. Research has found that people on GLP-1 drugs will likely lose some weight even if they don't exercise or intentionally change their dietary habits. But people on these medications can lose more weight — and help sustain it — if they do. Many people I've spoken to were already following intense workout regimens and strict diets before starting on a GLP-1. Still others had always wanted to exercise and finally had the energy or physical ability to do so after losing weight on these medications. Before I started reporting on GLP-1s, I knew that obesity was a disease, and still I was shocked by just how hard people had been fighting it on their own. One person I interviewed for Yahoo's On My Weigh series, Michael Donnelly, who tried countless diet and exercise routines before taking a GLP-1, put it best: 'What people forget about the disease of obesity is that [those of us with it] know more about it than anyone else, and we've gained and lost weight more times than they can imagine.' 2. These medications do more than facilitate weight loss While they can't rightly be called 'miracle drugs,' the newfound energy and ability to exercise are two of many surprising effects GLP-1s seem to have beyond just making weight loss easier. Take Taylor McDaniels, for example. The 24-year-old used to sleep 12 hours, wake up listless at noon and rely on DoorDash for most meals. Favorite post-work activities included bed rotting and scrolling, McDaniels previously told Yahoo. Then, she started taking GLP-1s (first, compounded semaglutide, followed by compounded tirzepatide). Now, McDaniels loves a 9 a.m. Sam's Club run. She hits the gym as soon as she's done with work, and she meal preps. As a result, McDaniels has lost at least 58 pounds, but it's the habit changes that mean the most to her. 'That's the thing about my health journey: My mind feels more at peace, and I'm able to meal plan and feel more organized and prepared for the day,' she says. Researchers are also studying semaglutide — the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic — for its potential to help people quit smoking and curb alcohol cravings. We're still a long way from these medications being prescribed for addiction, but, anecdotally, people I've spoken to are already seeing their effects. While some people describe experiencing 'food noise' — constant, intrusive thoughts about food that tend to quiet down on these medications — Johnna Byrd had 'alcohol noise.' After her son was born in 2023, she weighed 350 pounds and was a self-described alcoholic. But taking compounded tirzepatide, her cravings turned to 'complete silence,' Byrd previously told Yahoo. 3. It's not all about vanity It's easy to assume that people taking weight loss drugs are simply in pursuit of thinness. But don't. Every person I've spoken to about taking these medications has emphasized that, whether or not they had diagnosed health conditions, they simply wanted to feel better — and did, after taking a GLP-1. Renata D'Agrella, for example, told me she loved her body before taking Zepbound. In fact, she feared that her hundreds of thousands of social media followers would feel betrayed by her weight loss journey because her content had always been body-positive. But beyond the camera lens, 28-year-old D'Agrella was in physical pain and ultimately decided she had to prioritize her health. Her aches, anxieties and 'crippling' food noise were all quelled with the help of a GLP-1. After a lifelong struggle with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a chronic condition that can cause women pain and infertility, in addition to weight gain, it was a GLP-1 that finally gave Branneisha Cooper hope. For her, weight loss was great, but getting her period back? That's been the real win. Cooper's doctor even told her she can likely have a healthy pregnancy now. And even better: She's broken a generational curse. Most of Cooper's family has suffered from type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related conditions. Now, many of them are on GLP-1s and seeing improvements to their health too. 'It's impacted not only me, but my family. Selfishly, I want my mom and grandparents to be around longer, so it's been a huge blessing,' she previously told Yahoo. 4. Protein is priority (but eat your fruits and veggies too) As you may have noticed, we're in our protein era. Celebrities, from Khloe Kardashian to Venus Williams, are launching or promoting protein shakes, powder, popcorn and more. While our current protein obsession isn't entirely the result of the surging popularity of GLP-1s, they likely have something to do with it. Here's why: People taking GLP-1s who drop a significant amount of weight are at risk of losing muscle as well as fat. To counteract that, eating plenty of protein is key. GLP-1 users have created communities online where they share tips on the best high-protein low-fat fast food options, their hacks for protein coffee (aka 'proffee') and easy-to-make air fryer meals. Many people I've spoken to prepare for their weekly shot days — after which the effects of GLP-1s may feel strongest — by super-loading on protein, which doesn't just help prevent muscle loss but can also reduce side effects, including nausea. But protein alone isn't enough. While on these medications, each meal needs to pack the fullest nutritional punch possible so that people get enough of all the essential nutrients. Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
GLP-1 obesity drugs may boost low testosterone
London: GLP-1 anti-obesity medications are linked with improvements in testosterone levels and health outcomes for men with obesity or type 2 diabetes , researchers reported in San Francisco at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting. Weight loss from lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery is known to boost testosterone levels, but the impact of anti-obesity medications has not been widely investigated, study leader Dr. Shellsea Portillo Canales of SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital in Missouri said in a statement. Portillo Canales and colleagues tracked 110 men with obesity - many also with type 2 diabetes - who were being treated with semaglutide, dulaglutide or tirzepatide, the active ingredients in Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Ozempic or Eli Lilly's Trulicity, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. The average age was 54. None of the men were receiving other testosterone-boosting medications. During 18 months of treatment, the proportion of men with testosterone levels in the normal range rose from 53% to 77%. Testosterone plays a critical role in male sexual functioning but can also impact bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass, strength and red blood cell production. In the current study, the greater the weight loss, the greater the improvement in testosterone levels, the researchers found. While the study cannot prove GLP-1 drugs caused low testosterone levels to normalize, it does show a direct correlation, Portillo Canales noted. INTERMITTENT ACCESS TO GLP-1 DRUGS STILL YIELDS WEIGHT LOSS Popular GLP-1 anti-obesity medications are effective for weight loss even when treatment is inconsistent, new findings suggest. Patients often face challenges in accessing these medications - such as Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Ozempic and Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Mounjaro - due to supply shortages and insurance coverage obstacles, study leader Kaelen Medeiros of privately held weight-loss company Calibrate in New York said in a statement. Medeiros and colleagues looked at how interruptions to GLP-1 medication access over the course of two years impacted weight-loss outcomes in 6,392 clients of Calibrate's online metabolic health program. Along with the drugs, the program also included intensive lifestyle interventions and coaching on diet, exercise, sleep and emotional health. Overall, 72.5% of participants experienced at least one disruption in their GLP-1 treatment and 11.1% had multiple disruptions, Medeiros reported at ENDO 2025. Participants who faced access issues reported a 13.7% weight loss within 12 months and a 14.9% loss within 24 months, on average. Those without treatment interruptions reported a 17% weight loss in 12 months and 20.1% in 24 months, on average. Even those who received no more than four treatments over 12 months also achieved clinically significant weight loss, with more than 10% change in body weight on average. "While unpredictable GLP-1 medication access is frustrating, the good news is that our research shows effective weight loss can still be achieved if paired with appropriate lifestyle changes and coaching support," Medeiros said. OSTEOPOROSIS DRUGS CAN BENEFIT HIGH-RISK ELDERLY People who experience a fracture after age 80 might benefit from medications to treat bone deterioration or weakness caused by osteoporosis, researchers reported at the Endocrine Society meeting in San Francisco. Whether to start osteoporosis drugs at that age has been debated for fear that very elderly patients could be more susceptible to the side effects. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic reviewed medical records on 88,676 patients aged 80 and older who had suffered a fracture due to osteoporosis. Half of them had subsequently been treated with either Merck & Co.'s Fosamax, Roche and GlaxoSmithKline's Boniva, Amgen's Prolia, or Eli Lilly's Evista or Forteo. The others did not receive any osteoporosis drugs. Over the next five years, after accounting for patients' other health conditions, the hospitalization rate was 19% lower and the mortality rate was 15% lower in the group treated with bone-strengthening medications. "The results of our study support the need to enhance the individualized initiation of treatment of osteoporosis, even in people who are older than 80," study leader Dr. Gianina Flocco said in a statement. "Treating people to reduce the burden of osteoporosis complications, like fractures leading to disability or death, would play a significant role in improving health span in the growing older population."
