As the patent for famous weight loss drug Ozempic expires, questions emerge about whether its increased accessibility will improve people’s health.
As frequently reported in the last few days, pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, maker of weight loss drug semaglutide, better known by its brand name Ozempic, has lost its patent for the drug in India.
This means that in the next few months, tens of brands will start to produce the drug and sell it in the Indian market as a generic medication. The increased competition will likely slash prices by at least half.
This is great for Indian consumers, especially because of the scale of the obesity problem in the country. The UK, which also has a big obesity problem, is already seeing the weight loss drug prescribed to 1-3 million people via the NHS. When the patent for Ozempic expires in 2031, the NHS and tax payers will save millions of pounds by being able to access the drug at much cheaper prices.
It’s a similar story in the United States, where generic equivalents of Ozempic could emerge as early as 2031. The numbers in the country are staggering, the weight loss drug was prescribed over 22 million times in 2023, highlighting the long running obesity crisis in the country. The high price of the drug, about 1000 US dollars for a monthly supply, also reflects the market driven healthcare system in the US, and points to truly mind boggling savings if and when the medication goes generic.
Therefore, are we reaching a new era, one in which the propagation of cheap weight loss drugs could mean the end of obesity, an ill that disproportionally affects lower income people?
The Questions About Weight Loss Drugs
A part of the answer to that comes down to how effective Ozempic really is at treating obesity. Clinical trials of the drug have shown an average 12-15 percent body weight loss in patients with obesity over 12 months. Even when used inconsistently, people have reported losing 5 percent of their weight within the first couple of months. However, about 10-15 percent of people have minimal response to the drug, and see little to no weight loss. But overall, it’s undeniably effective, especially when compared to weight loss treatments before it.
There are some sticking points, however. Lifestyle and diet changes are still key to Ozempic’s effectiveness, especially after someone have stopped taking it. Clinical trials have shown many people rapidly regaining their weight after interrupting the weight loss drug.
Then there are the side effects. According to the NHS, Ozempic can cause all sorts of temporary gastrointestinal issues in the short term, like nausea, vomiting, or bloating. Long term, albeit rare, side effects of weight loss drugs can include kidney, pancreas and gallbladder dysfunction. But for many, these downsides are seen as an acceptable sacrifice in the fight against obesity, and all its health consequences.
Nevertheless, the weight loss drug is symbolic of fundamental divides. Those who have a strong propensity towards individualism might think that if people chose to eat better and exercise more regularly, then Ozempic, and all of its side effects, would not be a necessity. On the other end of the political spectrum, one might highlight how systemic issues like inequality and restricted access to healthy foods drive obesity, and that weight loss drugs are a band-aid solution, and a profitable one for drug manufacturers.
Beyond Obesity
More worryingly, however, is that within the social media such clashes around weight loss drugs go far beyond obesity, reflecting other modern issues. As reported by Glamour, a large number of influencers, on platforms like TikTok, have promoted Ozempic to their followers, even offering discount codes.
Advertising drugs to consumers is already controversial, but it being linked to aspirational content and body image ideals makes things even more morally tricky. The concern is that in these posts, the aesthetic aspect is often highlighted compared to the health one, which can lead people who aren’t struggling with clinical obesity to seek the drug for recreational and aspirational use. Effectively, this can constitute a form of self harm.
The negative phenomenon has also generated, at times problematic, backlash. Famously, Australian influencer Anna Paul was targeted by trolls who accused her of having used the drug for weight loss. This is part of a wider social media trend of ‘Ozempic shaming’.
Weight loss drugs are fascinating and promising, a supplement to lifestyle changes for those who are struggling the most, but we must first learn to value health over instant gratification, profits, beauty standards and online engagement.
Check out our other articles on relevant health topics like autism and menopause.
