Summary of Weight Loss Medications Could Be Sold for Lower Prices: Semaglutide, Bupropion, Naltrexone, Tirzepatide:
New research suggests that anti-obesity medications could be manufactured and sold worldwide at lower prices, making them more accessible to people who need them. The medicines are currently prohibitively expensive for many people in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. The study authors searched national drug price databases and collected information on six medications: orlistat, naltrexone/bupropion, topiramate/phentermine, liraglutide, semaglutide, and tripeptide. The prices for medicines in most countries were significantly higher than the calculated estimated minimum prices (EMPs). The study calls for a public health approach to obesity management that prioritizes access to medication over pharmaceutical company profits. The authors argue that a public health-based approach to obesity management should be adopted, similar to that used with infectious diseases.
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New Research Suggests Anti-Obesity Medications Can Be Produced and Sold at Lower Prices
A recent study published in Obesity, the Obesity Society’s flagship journal, suggests that anti-obesity medications can be produced and sold at much lower prices worldwide than their current high costs. The study calls for a public health approach to obesity management, prioritizing medication access over pharmaceutical companies profits.
Accessibility to Effective Obesity Medications Remains Prohibitive
The recognition that diet and exercise alone are unlikely to result in sustained weight loss has led to renewed interest in medication to supplement lifestyle changes. Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated positive results with oral and injectable drugs. However, these medications remain prohibitively expensive in most countries, making it challenging for millions of people to afford them and obtain treatment.
Public Health-Based Approach to Obesity Management
The authors have called for a public health-based approach to obesity management similar to that used with other diseases. The study highlights the inequality in pricing that exists for effective anti-obesity medications, which are mainly unaffordable in most countries. The study shows that these drugs can be produced and sold profitably for low prices. A public health approach that prioritizes improving medication access should be adopted instead of allowing companies to maximize profits.
Six Effective Anti-Obesity Medications
The authors searched national drug price databases. They collected information on six medications: orlistat, naltrexone/bupropion, topiramate/phentermine, liraglutide, semaglutide, and tripeptide across a range of 16 low-, middle- and high-income countries. Researchers assessed multiple online national price databases in each country and selected the lowest available price from each source. Medications were chosen because they are proven effective and illustrate various monotherapies, combination tablets, and injectable treatments.
Calculated EMPs Show Affordable Prices
Estimated minimum prices (EMPs) for anti-obesity medications were calculated using established methodology using active pharmaceutical ingredients from the Panjiva database. EMPs were calculated per 30-day course, including costs of active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients, formulation, taxation, and a 10% profit margin.
Results revealed that national prices of oral and injectable anti-obesity medications were significantly higher than calculated EMPs. The EMPs were meant as realistic targets for competitive generic production rather than patented versions.
Relatively Unknown Side Effects of Obesity
Worldwide, more people are dying from diabetes and clinical Obesity than from HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. Millions of lives have been saved by treating infectious diseases at low cost in poor countries. Now we must repeat this medical success story with the mass treatment of diabetes and clinical Obesity at low prices. An overlooked consequence of Obesity is the increased incidence of cancer. Obesity increases insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, which can induce cancer-promoting cellular changes in the body.
Conclusion
This study shows that anti-obesity medications could improve affordability and access to treatment. The study highlights the inequality in pricing that exists for effective anti-obesity drugs, which are mainly unaffordable in most countries. The calculated EMPs suggest reasonable prices that could make a significant difference in the lives of millions of individuals worldwide. Pharmaceutical companies have an ethical responsibility to make their new treatments for diabetes and Obesity available to anyone in need in any country.
