Elon Musk, who has been tapped to co-lead the newly fashioned Division of Authorities Effectivity in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, vocalized his assist for weight reduction medication on Wednesday.
“Nothing would do extra to enhance the well being, lifespan and high quality of life for People than making [GLP-1 drugs] tremendous low value to the general public. Nothing else is even shut,” Musk wrote in his submit on X.
A number of the most distinguished GLP-1 medication, also called medication used for weight reduction, embrace Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Co-Chair of the newly introduced Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE), arrives on Capitol Hill on Dec. 05, 2024 in Washington, D.C.
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The submit comes as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — whom Trump nominated to steer the Division of Well being and Human Providers — has overtly espoused damaging viewpoints about individuals utilizing remedy to deal with weight problems.
RFK Jr. beforehand advised Fox Information that weight reduction drug makers are “relying on promoting it to People as a result of we’re so silly and so hooked on medication.”
“If we simply gave good meals, three meals a day, to each man, girl and little one in our nation, we may remedy the weight problems and diabetes epidemic in a single day,” he added.
As head of the HHS, RFK Jr. will oversee businesses just like the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid, which manages well being protection for tens of millions of People, in addition to the Meals and Drug Administration, which is in control of approving new medication or increasing makes use of of present medication, given they’re discovered secure and efficient.
Trump has since picked Dr. Mehmet Oz to work below RFK Jr. as head of the CMS. Oz has spoken favorably about anti-obesity medication up to now. It’s but to be seen how this potential distinction of opinion may play out between the 2 Trump appointees.
Final month, the CMS below President Joe Biden proposed a brand new rule to develop entry to those medicines by classifying them as remedy for illness moderately than merely for weight reduction.
At present, Medicare is just not allowed to cowl medicines used for weight reduction alone.
They do cowl GLP-1 medication which might be FDA-approved for Kind 2 diabetes – if the affected person has diabetes.
Wegovy is roofed for weight problems if the affected person additionally already has heart problems.
Particular person states could decide to cowl these medication below Medicaid — however many don’t.
Musk’s submit was written in response to an ongoing discourse concerning the well being care business in america, sparked by this month’s deadly capturing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
On the time of his arrest, the capturing suspect reportedly had with him writings that criticized corporations within the nation’s well being care business for being the costliest on this planet, regardless of the U.S. rating decrease than many different developed nations when it comes to life expectancy, in line with regulation enforcement.
A number of medical trials are additionally underway to find out what different illnesses GLP-1 medication could doubtlessly shield in opposition to. The medication are presently accredited for Kind 2 diabetes, weight reduction and coronary heart illness.
Research have proven that alongside weight reduction and Kind 2 diabetes administration, the medication could shield in opposition to hypertension, liver illness, kidney illness and different well being problems of weight problems.
Analysis has additionally proven that the medication could cut back the chance of cognitive decline, like dementia.
There have additionally beforehand been anecdotal experiences that the medication could help in lowering addictive conduct together with substance abuse, alcohol use or playing, which researchers proceed to research.
The FDA shall be tasked to assessment security and efficacy knowledge from these pending trials to find out whether or not they meet the requirements for approval.
