Obesity Burden in the US: Latest CDC Maps and Trends
Introduction Obesity continues to be one of the most urgent public health concerns in the United States, shaping the trajectory of chronic disease, healthcare spending, and quality of life for millions of adults and children. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) […]
Oral GLP-1: The Pill Race
Introduction For the past few years, few therapeutic classes have disrupted medicine as profoundly as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, these drugs, namely, semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide, have redefined the treatment of obesity by helping millions lose double-digit percentages of body weight and improve cardiometabolic health. Yet the success of […]
Gray Market and GLP-1 Compounding: FDA Position After Supply Stabilization
Introduction The explosive demand for GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and tirzepatide has reshaped obesity and diabetes care in the United States. Yet the popularity of these medications far outpaced manufacturing capacity from 2022 through 2024, leading to persistent shortages. During this period, compounding pharmacies stepped into the gap, offering customized or off-label formulations […]
Regulatory Pressure on “Compounded” GLP-1s and Safety
For much of 2023–2024, global demand for GLP-1–based weight-loss medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide far exceeded supply. With branded products like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro back-ordered for months, a shadow market of “compounded” or “off-brand” versions emerged almost overnight. Specialty pharmacies and telehealth start-ups began selling vials, prefilled syringes, or even oral mixtures under […]
Commercial Insurance: What Are ‘Non-Metabolic’ Indications Shifting?
Introduction For years, commercial health insurers have hesitated to cover anti-obesity drugs, often labeling them as “lifestyle” treatments rather than true medical therapy. Patients who wanted access to new medications like Wegovy or Zepbound often faced denials, high out-of-pocket costs, or restrictive prior authorization rules. That picture is now beginning to change, thanks to a […]
New FDA indications: How they change access to anti-obesity drugs
Introduction Obesity is no longer viewed solely as a lifestyle problem; it is increasingly recognized as a chronic disease with multiple comorbidities that demand long-term medical management. The rapid rise of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound), has transformed treatment expectations by offering both clinically significant weight loss and measurable improvements in […]
2025 Clinical Standards: Where Pharmacotherapy Fits
Obesity has long been recognized as a major driver of type 2 diabetes (T2D), yet until recently, treatment approaches in clinical practice often emphasized lifestyle change while giving limited attention to pharmacotherapy. The landscape shifted dramatically with the advent of GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GIP/GLP-1 agents, which demonstrated not only substantial weight reduction but […]
