A new class of weight-loss drugs has taken the United States by storm, and they are different from previous medications in that they seem to work. The drugs, known by their pharmaceutical brand names such as Ozempic and Wegovy, contain semaglutide, a chemical that helps regulate appetite but also blood sugar—a critical function for people suffering from diabetes.
With many people taking the medication for cosmetic purposes, the drugs are in short supply. They are also expensive, must be taken indefinitely, and, so far, are not covered by health insurers for weight loss. Meanwhile, investors are rushing to make a killing off the pharma stocks.
Evette Dionne, executive editor at YES! Media and author of Weightless: Making Space for My Resilient Body and Soul, spoke with YES! Senior Editor Sonali Kolhatkar on YES! Presents: Rising Up With Sonali about her concerns regarding the new drugs.