Eli Lilly goes direct; NIH study of Semaglutide shows no link to suicidal thoughts

GLP Digest: A weekly roundup of the most important news & research related to GLP-1 drugs. We read through hundreds of articles, reports and journals so you can remain up-to-date.

In today’s digest:

1. Eli Lilly is going direct-to-consumer to promote Zepbound. (Read)

2. NIH Study: No evidence of link between Ozempic, Wegovy and increased suicidal thoughts. (Read)

3. GLP-1 shortages in UK expected until 2025. (Read)

4. GLP-1 meds don’t increase risk of Pancreatic Cancer in T2D patients, according to a new study that challenges previous research. (Read)

5. Consumers gotta consume. 🤷 A patient story who went from fast food to fast fashion. (Read)

1. Eli Lilly Launches Direct-to-Consumer Website

Eli Lilly’s newly approved Zepbound, a variant of the diabetes drug Mounjaro, is entering a competitive chronic weight management market alongside Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy.

Looking for an advantage, Eli Lilly has launched LillyDirect, a novel website aimed at connecting U.S. patients seeking obesity treatment directly with healthcare providers, including doctors and dieticians. In partnership with telehealth services, this initiative facilitates access to Zepbound, and also offers support for insulin and migraine treatments.

LillyDirect, by integrating services like a directory for in-person care and coordinating with third-party mail-order pharmacies for prescriptions, represents a unique convergence of healthcare and technology. With over 100 million adults in the U.S. considered obese, CEO David Ricks says this initiative aims to simplify the U.S. healthcare system's complexities in chronic disease management.

While the platform's combination of prescription assistance and medical consultation is innovative, it also raises concerns about the increasing trend of direct-to-consumer telemedicine, especially in terms of medication promotion.

Read the full announcement here.

2. NIH Study: Ozempic & Wegovy Do Not Increase Suicidal Thoughts

A few weeks after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) intensified its scrutiny of GLP-1 drugs for possible links to suicidal thoughts, a new study has found that there isn’t a direct link between the two.

This study, published online in the journal Nature and funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, found that semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, does not increase the risk of suicidal ideation more than other weight loss drugs.

This analysis, the first of its kind, involved over 240,000 U.S. patients and discovered a lower risk (49% to 73%) of first-time or recurring suicidal ideations in semaglutide users compared to those on other weight loss medications. The study gains significance against the backdrop of international regulatory concerns about potential mental health side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide. Despite these concerns, health authorities like the FDA maintain that the benefits of semaglutide, which has been widely popular for its efficacy in weight loss and diabetes management, outweigh its risks.

Read the full study here or a related article here.

3. Semaglutide Shortage in the UK Expected Until 2025

With the immense gain in Semaglutide popularity in recent months (thanks Sharon Osbourne), the NHS in England is anticipating a continued shortage of the drug until 2025. The shortage is expected to affect over 40,000 UK type 2 diabetes patients who rely on the drug for blood sugar control.

Manufacturer Novo Nordisk, marketing the drug under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, had previously predicted resolving supply issues by mid-2024. However, a recent NHS England safety alert indicates the shortage will persist until at least the end of the year.

The alert also notes that a tablet form of semaglutide, Rybelsus, has been procured for diabetes patients, emphasizing that doctors should not prescribe these drugs for weight loss during the shortage. Despite NHS England's directive to reserve GLP-1 drugs for diabetes patients, some private doctors have been criticized for prescribing them off-label for weight loss, exacerbating the shortage.

Read the full story here.
(A detailed study by GLP Digest also found that the number of ads in Daily Mail makes the site impossible to read.)

4. Study: GLP-1 Meds Do Not Increase Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in T2D Patients

A new large-scale study, published in JAMA Network Open, concludes that GLP-1 receptor agonists, popular anti-diabetes medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, do not increase the risk of pancreatic cancer in type 2 diabetes patients. This finding challenges previous research indicating a potential risk.

The study, which tracked over 500,000 patients over six years, offers reassurance to both patients and healthcare providers.

However, limitations exist, as the research focused solely on type 2 diabetes treatment and excluded individuals with significant pre-existing pancreatic conditions. Experts stress the need for further investigation, particularly to explore if these drugs can reduce pancreatic cancer risk by mitigating obesity, a known risk factor.

Read the full study here or a related article here.

5. Patient Story: Getting a Rush from Fashion Instead of Food

In an interesting story, GLP-1 patient Ashley Dunham shared her journey with semaglutide and a unique side effect: a shift in addiction from food to shopping. After losing 110 pounds in 17 months on Ozempic and Wegovy, Dunham found her food cravings replaced by a newfound passion for fashion and online shopping.

This behavioral change stems from the drug's appetite-suppressing effects, which altered her relationship with food, making it less central to her life. With increased mental capacity and disposable income (due to reduced food expenses), Dunham now engages in frequent shopping, enjoying the ease and accessibility of online platforms. Additionally, her weight loss journey has led her to feel more included in fashion spaces like Lululemon, experiencing what she describes as "thin privilege" and a newfound sense of belonging and self-worth.

Read the full story here.

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