Weight-loss drugs. Who pays?

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro are reshaping the treatment of obesity — and transforming the global pharmaceutical market.

Originally developed to treat type-2 diabetes, these injectable medicines — including semaglutide and tirzepatide — are now widely prescribed for weight loss, with growing evidence they can also reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

But in the United States, access to GLP-1 drugs often depends on insurance coverage — and on who can afford to pay.

In this first episode of a three-part Business Daily series on the global weight-loss economy, Sam Fenwick examines the real cost of obesity drugs in the U.S. healthcare system.

How much do GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro actually cost? Are they cost-effective in the long term? And can insurers and employers afford to provide them to millions of Americans living with obesity?

If you’d like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Produced and presented by Sam Fenwick.

Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business.

Each episode is a 17-minute deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story.

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(Picture: Person standing on weighing scales. Credit: Press Association)