Injections for weight loss: is this the solution to the problem of obesity?

In some countries, these medications can cost up to $1,000.

Obesity, a global epidemic that affects the health and quality of life of millions of people, has found a new ally in treatment. According to the Swiss Re report “Injectable Weight Loss Drugs: Rising Use of GLP-1 Drugs,” the class of drugs is known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs have been shown to be effective not only for glucose control but also for weight loss, which has sparked interest in their use for the treatment of obesity.

GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) have shown significant weight loss results in obese or overweight people. In clinical studies, participants taking semaglutide achieved an average weight loss of 16.1 kg, while participants taking tirzepatide lost an average of 27.6 kg.

Compared with placebo, these medications significantly reduced body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. It should be noted that people need to make changes to their lifestyle for these effects to last long term.

Although GLP-1 receptor agonists offer new hope in the fight against obesity, it should be noted that some problems exist. Gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and vomiting caused a third of users to discontinue treatment within the first month. In addition, the high cost of these drugs, which can exceed US$1,000 per month in some countries, makes them difficult for many patients to access, which can increase health inequalities.

Finally, for insurers, GLP-1 drugs have the potential to improve policyholder health by reducing morbidity and improving long-term mortality outcomes, according to Swiss Re. Initial evidence suggests that these drugs may have a positive effect on reducing rates of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer. However, insurers should closely monitor the long-term results of such treatments to adjust their policies and underwriting strategies.

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