A new weight loss pill named Orforglipron is being developed by researchers at Eli Lilly. This could potentially provide an alternative to injectable drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. The pill, taken once daily, aims to simplify treatment and reduce costs.
GLP-1 medications, initially used for type 2 diabetes, have been applied to weight loss in recent years. Despite the popularity of injectables, the industry might see further changes.
Dr. Tom Sonnanstine, Medical Director for Bariatric Surgery at OhioHealth, told Kristen McFarland of 10TV, “Once thousands and tens of thousands of patients start using them, I think we'll learn more about how well they work, what potential side effects there are.” Sonnanstine also mentioned, “You don't have the injector, you don't have the storage issues and all the nuances and extra expense that goes with it.” However, he acknowledged the need for daily or multiple daily dosages compared to weekly injections.
Eli Lilly aims for FDA approval in 2026. Experts caution that weight loss requires commitment, as Sonnanstine noted, “Most patients will realize pretty quickly that it's not a quick fix.”
In a related development, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has cautioned over a dozen state med spas regarding claims about compounded drugs, which are custom versions of brand-name medications. Sonnanstine shared with NBC4's Cierra Johnson, “It's almost become the Wild Wild West, as far as so many med spas and so many compounding pharmacies that have just popped up, seemingly out of nowhere, because the demand is there.”
Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, and Yost’s office warned that marketing them as such can be dangerous. Sonnanstine explained, “It's not necessarily formulated, compounded in the same environment or with the same standards that you will see with the drug company, the manufactured drug that's FDA approved.”
Yost’s office issued warning letters to 14 med spas in Ohio, including four in Central Ohio. Sonnanstine emphasized the patient's role in understanding their prescriptions, noting, “I think responsibility is always on the patient to know what they're getting.”
Experts advise patients to seek advice from trusted medical professionals for lasting health improvements rather than relying on advertisements or quick-fix solutions.