As diabetes medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy take over the weight-loss world, more drugs are being introduced that attempt to surpass the weight loss performance seen in the current options. Nearly two dozen glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist (GLP-1a) drugs are now in development for obesity and related conditions, according to research from financial firm TD Cowen.

Despite the drugs' growing popularity, concerns about sustainability, severe side effects, substantial costs and long-term efficacy are still in consideration. An analysis by pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics, LLC, and Magellan Rx Management indicated that 68% of new users of GLP-1a drugs for weight loss were no longer taking the drug after one year, and there is a substantial increase in health care cost in the first year.

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