Impacts of weight loss medication on your wallet and overall health
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound are now common names in many households across America targeted towards aiding in weight loss, but that was never their initial intended use.
Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, Director of the Clinical Epidemiology Center, and Chief of the Research and Education Service at the VA Saint Louis Health Care System, says, "These medications were developed as diabetes. Now we know they also reduce, you know, our mass."
These medications are also being taken for additional benefits, like possibly aiding in kidney function and even helping you live longer.
Dr. Al-Aly says, "There is another class of people who are taking it for longevity because they also perceive it to be a medication that suppresses inflammation."
But with how rapidly popular these drugs are becoming, could there be any supply issues for big name brands? ABC57's Sidney Moore reached out to Eli Lilly for answers on this topic, and they replied with a statement saying, "We are confident in our ability to maintain an adequate supply of tirzepatide in 2026. Since 2020, Lilly has committed more than $50 billion in U.S. manufacturing investment, including $13.5 billion in Indiana, creating high-wage, advanced manufacturing, engineering and science jobs for American families.”
Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly backs that stating history should not repeat itself. "It's hard to predict, but I think they've learned their lesson. You know, we went through a period where we had where supply was significantly constrained, and they've learned and now to actually ramp up production of various pipelines."
But while this knowledge on obesity grows, the medication used to "fix it" is in short supply, not because of the lack of medicine, but the cost. While these big-name companies offer deals for those with insurance, many insurance companies are getting much stricter with handouts.
Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, Director of the Clinical Epidemiology Center, and Chief of the Research and Education Service at the VA Saint Louis Health Care System, explains, "Insurance companies are, for lack of a better word, are clamping down. Are really scrutinizing these prescriptions." That clampdown comes from how expensive the medication really is, which with insurance becoming more strict, is causing many to pay out of pocket. On GoodRx after the first two months, prescriptions for this type of medication costs anywhere from $350 to $500 monthly, depending on dosage.
This medication is also a lifelong commitment like blood pressure medication. If you do not want to see your results disappear you need to stay on this medication for life, just taking smaller dosses as time goes on so you do not lose too much weight over time.