The Facts
On Sunday, Danish drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk said that a late-stage clinical trial has found that their high-dose "semaglutide" pill can help overweight and obese patients lose up to 15% of their body weight — results that align with other findings on experimental weight loss treatments.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in their diabetes and weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, mimics a hormone released after eating to induce a feeling of satiety. Originally a diabetes treatment, semaglutide has exploded in popularity due to its potential as a weight-loss drug.
The Spin
Narrative A
Ozempic has launched a veritable arms race in weight-loss drug research, with semaglutide at risk of being old news with developments moving at breakneck speed. Science has given us a spectacular tool in the fight against obesity, and every weight-loss niche could be safely and effectively filled with new hormonal weight-loss drugs. The only thing holding back the science is a lack of approval and insurance coverage, which would unleash the full potential of these drugs.
Narrative B
We are entering uncharted waters with regards to new, "silver bullet" weight loss drugs like semaglutide. The public interest in these drugs has strained the supply for the diabetics who rely on them, and safety concerns are being raised that are yet to be addressed by the drug manufacturers. There is evidence to suggest a link between thyroid cancer and semaglutide treatment, and more research is needed before we unleash these new drugs on consumers.
