It seems almost every week there is new news about the health benefits of GLP-1, weight loss drugs like semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, and Wegovy.
However, published in Journal of Public Health Management and Practicea group of public health specialists pointed out that the companies that fund research into these drugs and their safety are often the same ones that make billions of dollars from the growing popularity of the treatments.
In their commentary, the group of health researchers, led by Duke University (USA), suggests that there is an obvious conflict of interest when companies such as Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, initiate research into the safety and effectiveness of .
Why do weight loss drugs always seem to have favorable scientific studies?
As these experts point out, studies have shown that “clinical trials sponsored by pharmaceutical companies are more likely to produce favorable results for the company’s products than independent trials.”
This so-called “sponsorship bias” can lead not only to favorable academic articles, but also to similar media promotion and public perception of these drugs. The trend is further complicated by the fact that both doctors and influencers are paid to promote these injections without disclosing negative side effects such as gastrointestinal upset.
In addition to recommending that organizations such as the National Institutes of Health fund more objective research into the safety of these types of drugs, the researchers also said that social media posts about these treatments should be “labeled and accompanied by accurate health information from reliable authorities’ such as the NIH or the FDA, for example, that nearly three-quarters of patients taking semaglutide experienced gastrointestinal disturbances.
What should be the gold standard in treating weight problems?
At times, there seems to be a tension in the commentary’s conclusions: In addition to issues of potential conflicts of interest, the researchers also criticize the high cost of semaglutide, saying it makes the drug difficult to access for underserved communities who would need it most. by him, .
However, despite debate over whether exercise and diet should still be considered the gold standard in weight loss interventions, the researchers behind the commentary said the often misunderstood risk factors associated with GLP-1 are more important than these criticisms.
“We believe that the potential risk factors and uncertainties of GLP-1 receptor-acting drugs and other pharmaceutical options should make pharmacologic interventions the first-line treatment, while pharmacologic interventions should only be offered in individual cases, for patients in whom lifestyle changes do not produce lasting results,” the researchers wrote.
