March 19, 2024
Last night Oprah Winfrey hosted a TV special investigating the popular GLP-1 diet drugs. The stories by people who lost significant weight were good, as was the information about obesity being a disease and not just a lack of willpower. However, in our opinion, some very important topics were not even mentioned.
First, why does Oprah consider it a conflict of interest for her to be on these meds and be on the Weight Watcher’s Board? WW now has a clinical program and is fully invested in these medications, so Oprah also being on them should be a natural move. It’s NOT a conflict.
Secondly, representatives of both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk were on the program, but hardly said anything and were just part of the audience. Why weren’t they on a panel to discuss the shortages, the accessibility and problems with insurance coverage, and other issues dieters are having? No mention either of the legal actions these drug companies are taking against med spas and compounding pharmacies. No hard hitting questions about why the drug companies are not releasing more vials and are sticking with the pens despite there being a major shortage of pens. No questions about why the drug companies are pursuing foreign markets and not concentrating on the United States, when there is such a shortage.
Thirdly, there was absolutely no mention of what’s going on with the compounding pharmacies and why it’s important to vet them and make sure people are not getting inferior meds, just to save money? (the compounded drugs cost a lot less than the brand name Semaglutide, therefore their attractiveness to many).
These are important issues, yet were not discussed. Oprah could have done a lot better? Maybe she’ll do a follow-up show with more “meat” to it. We hope so.
For More Information About The Weight Loss Market…
See Marketdata’s new report: “The U.S. Weight Loss Market: 2024 Status Report & Forecast”, March 2024, 107 pages. Find the Table of Contents and description, and purchase online at: marketdataenterprises.com. Price: $895. Complete analysis of all segments of the weight loss market, with special emphasis on the GLP-1 drugs and their effect on competing market segments and companies. Or, call Marketdata for custom research and consulting: 813-971-8080, Tampa, FL. John LaRosa, Director of Research, is available for interviews.