Cheap semaglutide, the drug in Ozempic and Wegovy, could help millions with diabetes and obesity in 160 countries

Cheap semaglutide, the drug in Ozempic and Wegovy, could help millions with diabetes and obesity in 160 countries

Weight-loss jabs such as Wegovy and Ozempic could be made for just $3 a month, according to new analysis, potentially making the treatment available to millions in poorer countries as patents expire.

More than a billion people live with obesity worldwide, with rates rising fast in lower-income nations as they shift to westernised diets and more sedentary lifestyles.

The World Health Organization designated semaglutide – sold to treat obesity under the brand name Wegovy, and diabetes under the brand name Ozempic – as an essential medicine in September last year.

  • Valmond@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    10·
    8 days ago

    This is how longevity treatments will work too, first companies make them by pouring billions into research (and more), trying to get that cash back, but in the end it’s just some simple combination of molecules that costs close to nothing.

    • boonhet@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      7·
      8 days ago

      I’m moderately okay with this system. If it’s important, the government will bear much of the cost for me anyway and once it’s been out for a while, it’s going to be cheap as a generic unless it’s something niche.

      Would be nice if it was cheap or free immediately, but we’d need to overhaul much of the economic system for that. Which we should do anyway of course

    • leagman1@feddit.orgEnglish
      2·
      8 days ago

      We prolly won’t live to know, but I’d be interested in how all of the money invested fares against good old “no drugs, eat your greens, excercise” regarding longevity.

      • dominic.borcea@piefed.socialEnglish
        3·
        8 days ago

        I’d be interested in how all of the money invested fares against good old “no drugs, eat your greens, excercise” regarding longevity.

        I mean, we can kinda see that in action already?
        Compare the longevity and health of rich people who get pumped full of the newest drugs vs average folk who can only afford average drugs.

        No doubt exercise and good food are a big factor, but drugs take you to another level.

          • Nurse_Robot@lemmy.worldEnglish
            7·
            8 days ago

            And many people frankly can’t. There are a lot of complex socioeconomical reasons so many people are obese. If it were just a matter of will power, it wouldn’t effect a billion people

    • cRazi_manEnglish
      21·
      8 days ago

      Unless they’re biologics, then it gets messy and complex.

      • Valmond@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        2·
        8 days ago

        I mean biolog/metabolism is messy and wildly complex, but what do you mean with “unless they’re biologics”?