Mexican Navy Busts Major Meth Lab
Mexican forces have dismantled a massive meth lab in Zacatecas, dealing a blow to a Sinaloa Cartel faction.
An analysis of U.S. health claims reveals that while GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy may aid weight loss, they significantly increase medical costs—rising to $18,507 annually—without reducing obesity-related health events, raising concerns for insurers and employers.
An analysis of U.S. health insurance claims shared with Reuters indicates that while medications like Wegovy may help reduce weight, they do not lower medical expenses.
After two years of treatment with Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy or other GLP-1 drugs, the average annual cost of care for patients with obesity rose to $18,507- a 46% increase from the prior average of $12,695. This data, provided by pharmacy benefits manager Prime Therapeutics, highlights the financial implications of obesity treatment.
In a control group of patients not taking GLP-1 drugs, costs increased by 14% over the same period. For those on GLP-1 medications, the rise in expenses was mainly due to higher prescription drug costs, though medical costs also grew. The analysis found no decrease in obesity-related medical events - such as heart attacks, strokes, or type 2 diabetes diagnoses -compared to the control group.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, makers of the GLP-1 weight-loss drug Zepbound, have earned billions since their U.S. launches. While they claim that their medications could reduce healthcare costs linked to obesity, many U.S. employers and officials hesitate to cover these effective but costly treatments due to high upfront expenses and uncertain future savings.
"The budget hit here is frightening for a lot of governments and private entities," said Ben Ippolito, an economist at the American Enterprise Institute. He noted that the potential demand for these drugs is immense. Analysts predict the weight-loss drug market could reach $150 billion annually in the next decade.
Novo Nordisk emphasized that treating obesity is associated with improved medical outcomes, even though officials have not yet determined how to quantify these savings. Eli Lilly did not respond to a request for comment.
A study by Prime Therapeutics found that only one-in-four patients prescribed GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss continued taking them after two years, leading to concerns about the cost-effectiveness of these medications.
With an estimated additional expense of $11,200 per patient in the first two years, Prime cautioned that without sustained use and positive health outcomes, insurers may need to reconsider their coverage of these weight-loss drugs.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
Rybelsus, an oral form of the GLP-1 drug semaglutide, has been discovered to provide similar cardiovascular benefits as the injectable forms of the drug.
The 19th MedExpo Kyrgyzstan 2025 has opened in Bishkek, featuring over 50 companies from 11 countries. The event serves as a key platform for medical advancements, presenting cutting-edge solutions in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology. The exhibition runs until April 3.
Australia is facing the continued emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants more than five years after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.
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A global survey by AXA and IPSOS reveals that workplace stress, anxiety, and burnout are worsening, with financial instability, job insecurity, and constant exposure to negative news among the key factors affecting mental well-being
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