Would subsidizing weight-loss drugs make health care fairer?
GLP-1 medicines such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have transformed the treatment of obesity, but access to them in Australia increasingly depends on something much less medical: whether you can afford them.
The use of GLP-1 medicines, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, has revolutionized obesity treatment in Australia, with nearly half a million people currently utilizing these medications. However, the majority of users pay out-of-pocket, with costs ranging from $200 to $700 per month. This financial burden disproportionately affects those living with obesity who do not have diabetes, which costs the Australian economy billions annually.
A review involving nearly 28,000 individuals found that semaglutide, the active ingredient in these medicines, led to an average weight loss of 11% over two years, with most people maintaining their weight loss while continuing treatment. Yet, many stop taking the medication due to affordability, often regaining around 60% of their lost weight within a year.
This raises the question of whether subsidizing these medicines would make healthcare in Australia more equitable. While subsidies could improve treatment access for those who cannot afford them, they would not address the underlying social and environmental factors contributing to obesity, such as access to nutritious food, affordable healthcare, and opportunities for physical activity.
Addressing these factors and reducing the need for treatment is crucial in making healthcare more equitable.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
