"Pharmaceutical battle for dominance in the obesity medication market"

The struggle for dominance in the obesity medication market has intensified in recent years, turning into a real battle among major pharmaceutical companies. In this race, Novo Nordisk has taken the lead with its drug Ozempic, primarily known for its use in diabetes treatment, but which has gained popularity for its effectiveness in weight loss. However, this is just the beginning of a competition that promises significant transformations in both public health and the global economy.

The impact of obesity is alarmingly vast. It is estimated that each year, approximately five million people die due to diseases related to this condition. Projections for 2030 indicate that nearly one billion people worldwide will suffer from obesity. Economically, the United States faces annual losses of around $30 billion due to work absences linked to this pathology, and the OECD warns that the cost of obesity could represent 1.6% of the GDP of nations between 2020 and 2050.

In light of this bleak scenario, new medications, which belong to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, offer a ray of hope. These treatments allow patients to lose 15% of their weight in approximately 68 weeks, with a regimen of weekly injections and relatively manageable side effects. Until now, the only truly effective option for significant weight loss was bariatric surgery, which carries considerable risks.

The Danish company Novo Nordisk, by becoming the leading supplier of these medications, has seen its market value grow rapidly, reaching a capitalization of €384.544 billion. Its products, Ozempic and Wegovy, have driven a notable rise in its shares, which have increased by nearly 50% in the last year. Sales projections for Wegovy amount to $7.3 billion, while for Ozempic, it is expected to reach $16.5 billion.

However, despite these positive indicators, it is essential to maintain a cautious approach. Experts like Steve Smith, director of Investments at Capital Group, warn that we are still in the early stages of the adoption of these medications and that the size of the market is a critical factor to consider. In 2022, only around nine million people in the United States used GLP-1 medications, which is far from the total number of people with obesity worldwide.

Production capacity has also become a hot topic. Novo Nordisk has responded to the growing demand by acquiring three manufacturing plants for $11 billion, but supply still does not fully meet market demand. Competition is intensifying, with other companies like Amgen, Viking Therapeutics, and AstraZeneca developing their own versions of weight loss medications.

Despite the potential benefits these treatments offer, ethical and moral concerns are not absent. Novo Nordisk has promised to continue producing insulin even though the profitability of its new medications may seem more attractive. Additionally, no comprehensive studies have been conducted on the long-term effects of these treatments, leading to uncertainty.

On the other hand, although the GLP-1 medication market could generate up to $150 billion by 2031, access to these treatments remains a challenge. Currently, the cost of these medications is high, with prices ranging from $900 to $1,300 per month, raising questions about their sustainability and accessibility for the general population.

In the long term, if these drugs prove effective, they could help alleviate the economic burden that obesity imposes on healthcare systems, especially in Europe, where the obesity rate stands at 17%. Analysts suggest that the savings generated could be reinvested to improve the fiscal situation of countries.

In addition to their use in obesity, GLP-1 medications are being researched for their potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This opens new possibilities that could revolutionize the treatment of these conditions, although there is still a long way to go before definitive results are seen.

In summary, the competition among pharmaceutical companies for leadership in the obesity medication market not only represents an economic opportunity but also a moral and social challenge. As companies continue to develop and market these treatments, the hope of millions of overweight individuals intertwines with the complex dynamics of the pharmaceutical industry, which seeks to balance its business objectives with the social responsibility of improving public health.