Ask a Doctor: Ozempic, Wegovy and GLP-1 drugs in general

GLP-1 drugs that are commonly used to treat diabetes and obesity, like Ozempic and Wegovy – are in big demand. And they’re going to be more affordable.  The Trump administration recently negotiated deals to lower the prices of these drugs. It seems like some details still need to be ironed out….  but from the looks of it, many Americans who use Medicare will be able to access GLP-1s at a fraction of their original cost. According to one of the deals, some Medicare patients will be able to get GLP-1s for a $50 copay. So it’s safe to assume as costs come down, these drugs are only going to get even more popular…. And we want to know more about them. In this latest “ask a doctor” segment, we’re asking two physicians to answer all of our burning questions.  GUESTS: Dr. Scott Hagan, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, who studies obesity. Dr. Mara Gordon, a family physician based in Philadelphia. She also writes about the culture of medicine and authors the “Real Talk With a Doc” column for NPR. RELATED LINKS:  Medicare negotiated lower prices for 15 drugs, including 71% off Ozempic and Wegovy : Shots - Health News : NPR Ozempic is making me rethink how to be a body-positive doctor : Shots - Health News : NPR  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.