Health Startups Offer Diabetes Drugs Like Ozempic for Weight Loss With Little Oversight
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Digital health startups are racing to cash in on booming demand for diabetes drugs that are effective for weight loss, but some of the companies are advertising and prescribing the drugs to people who aren’t overweight.
Health professionals say marketing such drugs to people who are healthy is inappropriate and could lead to problems such as body dysmorphia or eating disorders. It can also contribute to shortages for the medications, which are in high demand as celebrities, tech moguls and others tout the drugs as a get-thin-quick solution. Some diabetes drugs have been in short supply. The impact of the advertising has yet to be thoroughly studied.
Telehealth companies are flooding the internet with ads for a class of drugs known as GLP-1s, including Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic, as well as Eli Lilly & Co.’s Mounjaro. Research by the companies shows the drugs are very effective for weight loss, offering a chance to dent the growing obesity crisis. Daily deals company Groupon Inc. is also offering access to cut-rate GLP-1 medication, according to two promotions reviewed by The Wall Street Journal on Monday that say they have attracted more than 2,000 customers between them. Groupon didn’t reply to a request for comment.
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While the Food and Drug Administration approved a GLP-1 drug only for significantly overweight patients, one of the services facilitated prescriptions for people whose weight was well below the FDA’s indicated body-mass index for the drug, according to a test run by the Journal and another person who tested the service. Some of the companies also have provided incomplete care to patients or given them an expectation they will receive the expensive drugs, only to find that insurance wouldn’t approve them, according to employees and customers.
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A Journal reporter testing Push Health’s service was asked only for basic information on its website. In boxes marked “medication desired” and “dosage desired,” the reporter entered several GLP-1s and “starting dose.” There was nowhere to enter height or weight, and the site didn’t ask the Journal reporter to speak with a clinician. A physician assistant then responded via text message, offering help navigating insurance coverage, or getting cheaper prescriptions through Canada or a specialty pharmacy preparing a generic version. The clinician ultimately wrote the prescription for a generic version without requiring additional health-related information or conducting a video visit.
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