A small study has found lixisenatide, a GLP-1 made by Sanofi, may slow the progression of Parkinson's disease, according to findings published April 3 in The New England Journal of Medicine. 

After patients and clinicians reported weeklong back orders of Zepbound, Eli Lilly's new weight loss drug, the FDA confirmed shortages of two Zepbound solutions. 

Six months after Costco announced its entrance into the healthcare industry with $29 virtual primary care visits, the big box retailer is launching a specialized weight loss program exclusively for its members. 

Physicians estimate up to 15% of people who try GLP-1s — the popular class of anti-obesity medications that includes drugs that include Ozempic and Wegovy — lose less than 5% of their body weight, The Wall Street Journal reported April 1. 

By 2030, between 2.5 million and 3.8 million cases of obstructive sleep apnea can be avoided — a 10.7% reduction in overall prevalence — based on estimates of patients taking Wegoy. 

While the list price for a monthly supply of Ozempic in the U.S. nears $1,000, new research indicates it could be manufactured for less than $5 per month, sparking calls from lawmakers for Novo Nordisk to lower the price of its blockbuster diabetes and weight loss drug. 

Among nearly 1 million patients who underwent upper or lower endoscopy procedures, those prescribed GLP-1s, such as Ozempic or Wegovy, were 33% more likely to experience aspiration pneumonia than other patients. 

Nonadherance seems to be a nonissue for patients taking new weight loss drugs, The New York Times reported March 24. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders wants to schedule a meeting with Novo Nordisk's CEO after researchers said its blockbuster Type 2 diabetes drug, Ozempic, could remain profitable if it was made for less than $5, Bloomberg reported March 28. 

Some bariatric surgeons are noticing a decrease in referrals because of the increasing popularity of GLP-1s, which mimic a gut hormone that suppresses appetite and makes patients feel full. 

Less than two weeks after Novo Nordisk's weight loss drug Wegovy was approved to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, CMS has issued guidance for Medicare coverage of weight loss drugs, The Wall Street Journal reported March 21. 

Physicians are seeing more women turn to weight loss medications before they become pregnant in hopes of lowering their risks of having a miscarriage and other complications, such as preeclampsia and preterm birth. 

Anita Courcoulas, MD, defines GLP-1s as "generation one;" dual GLP-1 and GIPs as the second; and a triple threat of GLP-1, GIP and GCGRs as the third generation of weight loss drugs. 

First-time prescriptions for Eli Lilly's Zepbound surpassed those for Novo Nordisk's Wegovy in early March, according to data cited by Reuters. 

As Novo Nordisk campaigns against counterfeit versions of Ozempic, its Type 2 diabetes drug popularly used for weight loss, one analysis predicts the therapy will log $16.1 billion in sales in 2024, making it the second top-selling drug. 

Hospital transplant departments have strict cutoffs for patients with higher body mass indexes because of the increased risk of complications, but GLP-1s such as Ozempic and Wegovy are helping more patients be eligible for surgery. 

Counterfeit versions of Novo Nordisk's Ozempic are becoming more of a concern, both for the company and to global authorities. Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, the Danish drugmaker's CEO, told Reuter's the company is currently working alongside authorities in multiple countries to navigate the issue.

Citing high costs and low medication adherence, self-insured employers nationwide are making moves to end or limit coverage for employees prescribed weight loss medications, including major health systems.

New York City Councilwoman Julie Menin introduced a bill March 7 that would require the city's Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to create and distribute materials about the possible negative health effects from prescribing and using prescription drugs for their off-label use for weight loss. 

After finding success in the emerging sector of semaglutide drugs, Novo Nordisk's latest work toward development of it in pill form has shown results that are even better than Wegovy when it comes to shedding weight.