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.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
Bulgaria has seen a sharp rise in diseases transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes, including Lyme disease and West Nile fever, with health authorities warning of an urgent need for stricter pest control measures.
Israeli and British scientists have developed a breakthrough blood test capable of detecting Parkinson’s disease in its earliest stages—before symptoms even begin—potentially revolutionizing diagnosis and treatment.
China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s Haishen Medical Technology Co has developed the world’s first emergency medical rescue drone to enhance disaster response capabilities in extreme environments.
The European Commission is preparing to adopt emergency measures to curb the spread of bird flu in Poland’s Masovian and Greater Poland regions, where 73 outbreaks have occurred in two months. These steps aim to protect public health and the poultry industry amid growing concerns.
Kyrgyzstan has joined the TB-Free Central Asia initiative, a regional effort launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and five Central Asian countries to eliminate tuberculosis and drug-resistant TB by 2030.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.