Adam Strange’s Post

Blue Health Intelligence released a brief looking at factors predicting GLP-1 agonist treatment persistence. This particular brief only includes Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg daily) and Wegovy (semaglutide 1.7mg or 2.4mg weekly). I share the most important highlights below. • > 50% of people prescribed one of these drugs for obesity stopped taking it in less than 12 weeks, which would not be enough time to see benefit • People were more likely to continue treatment beyond 12 weeks if the drug was prescribed by an obesity physician or endocrinologist—this might be due to these clinicians being better at coaching patients through the early period when side effects are most common • Patients < 35 years old were less likely to continue treatment past 12 weeks • Patients with the most social vulnerability were the least likely to continue treatment past 12 weeks • Those with more frequent healthcare visits were more likely to continue treatment past 12 weeks This is a health insurance study, not a scientific study. Nonetheless, it suggests that coaching and guidance from medical providers is an important factor in continuing these medications. Link in comments. #obesitymedicine #semaglutide #wegovy #liraglutide #saxenda #obesity

The surge in prescription fills for weight-loss medications like Zepbound and Wegovy highlights a significant shift in the healthcare landscape. It reflects growing awareness and demand for solutions addressing chronic conditions like obesity, which has far-reaching implications for personal health and societal costs. As these medications gain traction, it's crucial for stakeholders across healthcare, technology, and policy to collaborate in ensuring accessibility, affordability, and effective education for patients. This moment also underscores the role of data in driving informed decisions—from clinical outcomes to supply chain optimizations. #HealthcareInnovation #WeightLossMedications #ObesityManagement #DataDrivenHealth

Adam Goldstein, MD, MPH, Elizabeth and Oscar Goodwin Distinguished Professor and Director of the UNC Weight Management Program, penned an editorial featured in the News & Observer, Charlotte Observer, and Durham Herald Sun highlighting the importance of new weight loss drugs and the difficulty of patients being able to access them. There is promising potential for new weight loss medications like semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tripeptide (Mounjaro) in combating obesity. These drugs, combined with behavioral counseling, can lead to significant and sustainable weight loss, improving various obesity-related conditions such as fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes. Goldstein notes, however, that access to these medications is limited due to high costs and insurance barriers, with insurers often requiring prior authorizations and proof of health complications, while pharmaceutical companies set high prices to recoup research and development costs. This situation highlights systemic biases against treating obesity as a chronic disease. Goldstein advocates for legislative action to mandate insurance coverage for weight loss medications and implement price caps to make these drugs affordable, stating, "Obesity is a medical condition. Policies must reflect that reality. Patients, physicians and public health advocates must push for equitable access and pricing. Increased awareness about the life-changing potential of these drugs can build public and political pressure. The cost of inaction — in human and economic terms — is staggering." Read more at: https://lnkd.in/e5eiMFeH

1/ Weight loss drugs like Ozempic & Wegovy are more popular, but most physicians haven't been trained to use them https://lnkd.in/e5W4CHbe with CBS News' @AMGreenCBS 2/ Patients need to be monitored for side-effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, which could be symptoms of serious conditions like pancreatitis or gastroparesis (i.e. stomach paralysis). They should also have regular blood work including blood glucose & kidney function tests. 3/ If a patient's side-effects aren't well managed, they may get discouraged & stop taking the medication, which means that whatever weight they've lost, they're likely to put back on. 4/ If people can't stay on these meds long enough to accrue the long-term health benefits (e.g. reduced risk of cardiovascular disease & stroke, reduced risk of chronic kidney disease), insurance companies may be less likely to cover them.

Access to quality affordable preventive, medical, surgical and palliative care in America is rationed, segregated and inequitably subsidized according location, age, disease, race, job, net worth, sex, job or military status. It doesn’t have to be that way, Bismarck gives all access to quality affordable private insured and private manufactured healthcare. In States That Won’t Pay for Obesity Drugs, ‘They May as Well Have Never Been Created’ https://lnkd.in/ed7SKC2k

Orphan drugs, designed to treat #rarediseases, often come with extremely high costs, creating significant barriers for patients even when they have #insurance. As the market for these specialized therapies continues to expand, the need to ensure they are accessible becomes more pressing. Medmonk is dedicated to tackling these challenges with patient-centered solutions. Our platform seamlessly integrates with #pharmacy and provider billing terminals. This simplifies the hub, #copay, and patient assistance enrollment process, ensuring a smooth experience for all users in terms of both medical and pharmacy benefits. Learn more about how Medmonk is helping patients receive their medication without unnecessary delays at www.medmonk.com. #orphandrugs #rarediseases #patientsupport #Medmonk #accesstotreatment

Using GLP-1s has become a very important discussion in healthcare. We see GLP-1 medications along with lifestyle coaching, change people lives for the better. People using these intervensions reverse other conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and liver disease but it comes at a cost. Helping 40% of your workforce (as cited in the article) improve their productivity and quality of life along with their health can be done with guardrails to prevent overuse of these medications while still achieving great results. I am so proud to be a part of this effort at Premise Health. Our clinical teams get extensive training in managing these complex conditions and in providing healthcare that supports improved health and wellbeing as the focus rather than just weight loss. #premisehealth #obesitymatters

Just discovered a fascinating article on the potential impact of GLP-1 medication on society. The future ripples and changes are truly thought-provoking. Check it out! #GLP1 #medication #society #impact

GLP-1 drug coverage for obesity is gaining traction, with 46% of large employers already covering it and another 21% considering it within three years, according to an NAHPC survey. I continue to see these drugs helping employees manage diabetes or lose weight, improving their health and preventing serious medical problems. This reduces healthcare costs for employers and supports a healthier, happier workforce.   Don't hide from it, Heal it! 🧹 #Healthcare #Benefits #insurance

Lipedema was first described over 70 years ago, but still, a lot is unknown. This makes diagnosing and teaching doctors and patients about the condition difficult. European doctors have progressively identified, diagnosed, and treated lipedema. As a result, in Europe, lipedema has been formally recognized as a disease, enabling both education and support for treatment. In the United States, lipedema is a relatively unknown condition in medicine. Most physicians have never heard of it, and those who have oftentimes lack additional knowledge to diagnose, guide, or help patients. It is considered a disorder in the United States rather than a formal disease. This is an important distinction because this characterization limits societal, emotional, medical, and financial (e.g., insurance companies) support. Nevertheless, there is growing attention on lipedema around the world. Current estimates are that 1 out of 9 women have lipedema. That means 11% of adult women, or approximately 14 million women, have lipedema in the United States alone. The chances are you have seen a woman with lipedema in the last 7 days of your normal activities. Organizations have started to create more awareness of lipedema, particularly in the United States, and to support medical research. (An excellent starting point with a wealth of information is FDRS at www.fatdisorders.org). Social media has become a pivotal tool for patients with lipedema. With Facebook groups in every state, patients are becoming connected, empowering them to learn about lipedema, support one another, and improve their quality of life.