Foundayo Takes Off, Telehealth Crackdown & FDA Warning! GLP-1 News

Added: 2026-04-28

[00:00:00]A federal crackdown on a tellaalth company promising new research expanding what GLP1s may treat from asthma to potentially arthritis and realworld data showing how these medications are already reshaping behavior access and even far. This is one of those weeks where everything is moving at once.

[00:00:18]>> Welcome to the downsiz news. I'm Christopher Durham. If you've just started a GLP1 or you're about to, you've probably got questions, a lot of them.

[00:00:25]>> I'm Lorine Durham. We're a husband and wife team from North Carolina. We started GLP-1 medications in September of 2023 to treat obesity.

[00:00:33]>> Since then, I've lost 100 pounds, >> and I've lost over 50, but honestly, the scale is just part of the story.

[00:00:39]>> Less joint pain, less inflammation.

[00:00:41]We're now in maintenance, taking a weekly shot, and figuring out what normal life looks like after weight loss.

[00:00:47]>> We're not doctors, we're patients. And every week, we break down what's happening in this world of obesity treatment and what it actually means for people like us who are living this dayto-day. The landscape's changing fast. This week we're covering stories around zepalum mangjaro waggoiio zimpic simaglut zepide or forgapron which is of course now called foundo. Before we get into the stories we'd like to thank the sponsor of the downsiz news, the hume body pod. The body pod gives you a full body composition picture in about a minute. Muscle mass, body fat, visceral fat, metabolic age, and more. When you're on a GLP1, those numbers tell you a lot more than the scale ever could. If you want to try it, use our code the downsized at humebodypod.com for additional savings. The link and the code are in the description of this video.

[00:01:38]>> We are not doctors and this is not medical advice. Obesity is a chronic progressive disease and these are prescription medications used to treat it. Please consult your health care provider. If this coverage is useful to you, I hope that you'll like and subscribe to our channel. Let's get into this week's stories.

[00:01:53]>> And story number one, now to an early look at how the first oral GLP-1 weight loss pill is performing in the US market and what that may mean going forward.

[00:02:03]Eli Lily's newly launched oral GLP1 foundo recorded 3,77 prescriptions in its second week.

[00:02:12]According to IQVIA data cited by analysts, that is up from 1390 prescriptions in its first week, showing growth, but still a relatively gradual early gramp. For context, that pace is being closely compared to Nova Nordisk's oral WGOI roll out, which reached significantly higher prescription levels in a similar time frame. That comparison is shaping expectations around how quickly oral options can scale. What matters here is not just the numbers, but what they represent. Vando is part of a new category, an oral GLP1 that does not require injections and has the potential to change access for people who have been hesitant to start a weekly shot. At the same time, early prescription data reflects realworld friction. Physicians need time to get comfortable with a new drug. Patients need to learn about it. Insurance coverage and pricing needs to settle.

[00:03:10]distribution needs to scale. Those early numbers suggest that the process is underway, but not instantly. The investor reaction to the data was immediate with shares of Eli Liy moving lower after the release, reflecting expectations that adoption might take longer to build. While that is a market signal, it also highlights how closely the rollouts of these medications is being watched. From a practical standpoint, this does not change the role of the medication. It is still a new option entering a growing space and early adoption curves do not define long-term impact. What it does show is that even with strong demand for GLP1s, new treatments still have to work through the same realworld challenges of awareness, access, and prescribing behavior. As more data comes in over the next several weeks, the focus will be on whether that prescription growth begins to accelerate and how oral options fit alongside existing injectable treatments. I find it intriguing that and this really comes out of the analyst's expectations, right? They expect it to come out of the gate with a bang.

[00:04:14]>> Second week, 3,700 prescriptions, >> right? Which is three times the first week. So if you had any other business where your second week was three times the volume%, my boss would say, "Slow that down. We don't want to see all the growth in one in one shebang." Right?

[00:04:28]And if it were three times next week and three times the week after that >> and they'll tell your friends and so on and so on and so on. Yeah. No, I mean I think it's starting off great. I don't know really what they were expecting. It has to start starts has to start from somewhere, right?

[00:04:44]>> Well, they were comparing it to oral wgoi and oral goi had a couple of advantages. Number one, doctors are already familiar with WGO. Yeah.

[00:04:52]>> Number two, insurance companies are already familiar with WGOI. So they opened up with some coverage.

[00:04:57]>> Right. This is a new >> this is a new molecule or forgrron which is foundo is the name brand >> and what we've seen is from other sources about 30% of the new prescription starts not changeovers but new starts >> new starts >> are oral right now. So it's kind of a crazy crazy launch >> bringing people in that didn't want to do the injection before.

[00:05:21]>> Yep. Now to a legal story involving teleaalth and GLP1 prescribing practices and this one carries broader implications because of the history behind it. The US Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission are seeking an immediate asset freeze and courtappointed receiverhip for telealth company Zelfie and its CEO Kyle Robertson. The request was filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida as part of a third amended complaint expanding a case that originally began in April 2024. Zeli, which Robertson founded in 2022 after he was ousted from his previous company, offers services including GLP-1 weight loss programs, mental health care, skin care, hair loss treatments, erectile dysfunction medications, birth control, and hormone therapies. The DOJ alleges that the way those services were delivered did not match how they were presented to patients. At the center of the complaint are allegations about prescribing practices. Prosecutors claim the company directed non-clinians, including call center workers in the Philippines, to issue prescriptions and to direct clinical decisions. The filing also alleges the systematic misuse of physicians names and national provider identifier numbers allowing prescriptions to be issued under their credentials without their knowledge or consent. One of the most striking details comes from whistleblower Dr. Steven Macdonald Zelthy's former medical director. He submitted a sworn declaration stating that he had learned his name was being used to prescribe medications only after a former colleague told him stacks of insurance letters were arriving at the office for stealthy patients he had never treated.

[00:07:01]The DOJ describes this as a high volume prescribing system where massive numbers of prescriptions were generated under medical providers names without clinical oversight. The complaint also details allegations tied to billing. The government says Zelthy marketed its services with claims such as pay zero dollars today and cancel anytime, but then enrolled users into subscriptions that were difficult to cancel.

[00:07:25]Prosecutors alleged the company charged tens of thousands of consumers without consent and continued billing after cancellation attempts, raising potential violations of federal consumer protection law, specifically the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act. There are also allegations involving patient data. The DOJ claims the company used sensitive health information, including details about conditions and treatments to support advertising campaigns without proper authorization. And there are allegations that Zelthy worked to hide the consequences of its own practices after losing its medical merchant certification from Legit Script in January 2025. Prosecutors say the company created shell companies to keep processing payments after major ad platforms and payment processors dropped it. The DOJ also alleges that Zelthy executives used company credit cards to purchase their own subscriptions, artificially lowering the rate of consumer chargebacks to make the company look healthier to banks and lenders. The government is asking the court to freeze assets and appoint a receiver, arguing these steps are necessary to stop ongoing violations and preserve funds for potential consumer restitution.

[00:08:37]Prosecutors have stated bluntly that the financial penalties and consumer redress they are seeking may bankrupt Zeli, making the preservation of assets essential. This case does not exist in isolation. It connects directly to Robertson's the CEO's prior role at Cerebral, the company he founded in 2020 and was removed from in May 2022.

[00:08:59]Cerebral has now faced two separal federal actions. In April 2024, Cerebral agreed to pay more than $7 million to resolve FTC allegations that it shared sensitive patient data with companies including LinkedIn, Snapchat, and Tik Tok for advertising purposes, and that it failed to honor its cancel anytime promises. The FTC found that Cerebral exposed personal health information of nearly 3.2 million consumers. Then in November 2024, Cerebral entered a nonprosecution agreement with the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, agreeing to forfeit approximately $3.6 million to resolve allegations tied to the unauthorized distribution of controlled substances, including Aderall. Cerebral itself has settled. Robertson has not.

[00:09:49]The FTC charges against him personally remain pending and will be decided by the court. Taken together, federal prosecutors are framing this not as a single breakdown, but as a pattern across two companies and one executive involving prescribing practices, billing, and data use. While tellahalth and compounding more broadly are under increased scrutiny, the allegations here are tied to core issues. Who is actually writing the prescription? Is a licensed provider involved? Can patients cancel services? And how their data is being used? The bigger story is not just about one company. It's about how tellaalth scales. As more patients turn to digital platforms for access and care, especially for high demand treatments like GLP1s, regulators are signaling that speed and convenience do not replace the basic requirements of medical practice and consumer protection. The outcome of this case could shape how aggressively those standards are enforced across the broader teleaalth industry.

[00:10:46]>> So Zeli was breaking a lot of laws seems like. Yeah, I think it's easy to lump this in with 503b compoundingies stopping and you know and some other bigger trends. These guys were breaking laws were writing illegal prescriptions.

[00:11:03]I mean they were >> they stole a doctor's number.

[00:11:06]>> Yeah.

[00:11:07]>> And they wrote a prescription.

[00:11:08]>> That's the doctor who turned them in, right? The whistleblower.

[00:11:11]>> And he's like, "I didn't write these prescriptions.

[00:11:13]>> Write these." And they had over three million customers.

[00:11:17]I mean, >> I think it just points to how large the scale is and it's why you have to be careful who you're dealing with, >> you know, and I think there are teleahalths popping up every day, like every day.

[00:11:28]>> Oh, yeah. I mean, there's millions of dollar. They're making millions of dollars off of this and it >> this particular one sounds like they broke >> many laws and the pro someone's probably going to go to jail over this, I would.

[00:11:42]>> And they just kept billing you whether you ordered it or not. billing you. They just kept writing illegal prescriptions.

[00:11:48]>> Yeah.

[00:11:49]>> So, I wouldn't frame this as part of the bigger industry shift.

[00:11:53]>> Now, to the new clinical data that could expand access to GLP-1 treatment into a younger population. Nova Nordisk reported positive results from its phase 3A pioneer teens trial showing that oral simaglutide significantly improved blood sugar control in children and adolescence with type 2 diabetes compared to placebo. The study included 132 patients between the ages of 10 and 17, all of whom were already receiving standard background treatments such as metformin, basil, insulin or both. Over 26 weeks, patients taking oral simaglutide at doses of 3 mg, 7 mg, or 14 mg once daily achieved superior reductions in blood glucose levels versus placebo. The company said the safety and tolerability profile was consistent with what has been seen in adult studies with no new safety signals identified. Oralimaglutide is already approved for adults with type 2 diabetes under the brand Rebelsis and for obesity under WGOI. Injectable versions including Osimpic and WGOI are also widely used though only WGOI currently has approval for obesity in adolescence.

[00:13:08]Novo says this is the first phase three trial of an oral GLP1 in the 10 to 17year age group and the company plans to file for regulatory approval in both the United States and European Union in the second half of 2026. The move comes as the number of younger patients with type 2 diabetes continues to rise.

[00:13:30]According to company estimates, there were 14.6 6 million adolescents globally globally living with type 2 diabetes in 2021 with that number expected to reach 20.9 million by the end of the decade.

[00:13:44]Treatment options for this group remain limited. Firstline therapies like metformin and insulin are commonly used but metformin fails to maintain glycemic control in about half of adolescence and insulin can come with risks such as hypoglycemia and weight gain. Novo also indicated it plans to reintroduce oral simaglutide for diabetes in the US under a new name quote ozimic pill later in the second quarter of 2026 aiming to align branding across its simaglutide portfolio. If approved, oral simaglutide could provide a new option for younger patients, particularly those who may benefit from a non-injectable treatment approach as the broader GLP-1 category continues to expand. So options for kids. I mean it's it's interesting here because not all of these kids are actually overweight.

[00:14:36]>> Some of them may have type two diabetes.

[00:14:38]>> Many of them are but they and the way this is prescribed for diabetes is a different treatment titration plan.

[00:14:46]Basically that doctor is going to titrate up to get the A1C results not necessarily to get to get up results.

[00:14:54]The little nugget hidden in there is the Rebels name is going away >> and it's going to be Ozimpic Pill.

[00:15:00]>> Yeah.

[00:15:00]>> So, look for that sometime in the second half of 2026.

[00:15:04]>> It'll be interesting to see whether they're using the improved snack technology that's in Waggoi or not.

[00:15:09]>> I would assume.

[00:15:09]>> I would assume so as well.

[00:15:11]>> Story number four. The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning letter to New Life Pharma after the company refused inspectors access to parts of its facility where it has produced semiglutide and tzepide. The inspection took place in February at the company's New Jersey site. According to the FDA, inspectors were blocked from entering two areas of the productions suite labeled area not in use. New Life told regulators they did not have the authority to enter those sections and confirmed it was refusing access.

[00:15:42]Federal rules do not allow companies to limit or deny inspections and the agency cited this as a clearer violation.

[00:15:49]Inspectors also documented problems in the areas they were able to review. The FDA said the company was manufacturing sterile multid-dosese vials of semiglutide and tzeptide without adequate procedures to prevent microbiological contamination. The agency wrote that the facility lacked the basic controls needed to ensure sterility. It also found that the quality control unit was not meeting its responsibility to ensure compliance with current good manufacturing practices.

[00:16:15]The FDA further determined that products were misbranded because the company had not properly registered its facility or listed its drugs with the agency. These are standard regulatory requirements for drug manufacturers. After the inspection, New Life agreed to stop manufacturing at the site. The FDA later said the company clarified that the shutdown was temporary and tied to validation work with plans to restart production. In its warning letter, the agency pushed back stating that given the deficiencies identified, the company should not resume manufacturing at the facility. The letter was issued April 14th and gives the company 15 working days to respond. The FDA said New Life's earlier response to inspection findings did not include sufficient evidence that the issues had been addressed. The company also carried out a voluntary recall of semiglutad and trespatide vials in February. These are sterile injectable medications that depend on tight manufacturing controls. When inspections are limited and core quality systems are not in place, it introduces risk around product quality and reliability and can lead to recalls or interruptions in supply as regulators step in. So, this is indeed a pharmacy that the FDA can come in and inspect at will. really now. The FDA really doesn't have the staff to just go willy-nilly on it. They they've been cut back.

[00:17:33]>> Wonder why they went to that one. Must have got a report.

[00:17:36]>> Yeah, there must have been some reports or something.

[00:17:38]>> Do not look in this room. What does it say? Don't do not don't look behind this curtain, please. Wonder what was back there.

[00:17:46]>> Basically, if they come look, you you have to >> you have to open every door whether you want to or not.

[00:17:52]>> And story number five. Now to a story that shows how the impact of GLP-1s is reaching well beyond healthcare and into the food system and even American farming. New new reporting from Reuters highlights how rising GLP1 use combined with a broader push toward high protein diets is driving increased demand for crops like peas and lentils creating a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult agricultural economy. Farmers across the US are shifting acreage toward these crops known as pulses. As traditional staples like wheat struggle with low prices, high input costs, and ongoing trade pressures, one Idaho farmer told Reuters that the surge in demand tied to protein focused eating and GLP1 use could be the difference between losses and profitability this year. The economic backdrop is significant. US farmers are facing a fourth straight year of low to negative profit margins, and farm bankruptcies rose 46% from 2024 to 2025. Against that backdrop, pulses are standing out.

[00:18:55]Lentils, for example, are expected to generate positive returns per acre, while crops like wheat are projected to lose money. Demand is being driven from multiple directions. Food companies are rapidly expanding protein enhanced products using ingredients derived from peas and lentils in everything from cereals to sodas and pasta. At the same time, social media trends around high protein diets are accelerating consumer interest, even as some nutrition experts question whether the level of protein consumption being promoted is necessary.

[00:19:29]GLP-1 use is also part of that shift. As more people adopt these medications, many are increasing protein intake to help maintain muscle mass, which has become a common recommendation alongside treatment. that has added another layer of demand for protein dense foods and ingredients. Longerterm data shows how this is playing out. US planting of yellow peas has increased 55% over the past 15 years, while exports have dropped sharply in recent years, suggesting more of the crop is now being consumed domestically. At the same time, there is debate about how sustainable this trend is. Some nutrition experts argue that Americans are already consuming sufficient protein and warned that the surge in protein branded products may be driven more by marketing than actual need. For now though, the shift is real. What started as a medical treatment trend is beginning to influence what people eat, what companies produce, and even what farmers plant in their fields.

[00:20:27]>> So basically, you have some crops that make them money and some crops that don't make them money. Wheat's not making money these days, but peas are making money.

[00:20:35]>> I think as more and more people come to GLP1s, there's the demand for protein products is just going to is going to rise. Are we eating the proper number of grams of protein? Hard to say, but as more people come to the GLP1, they'll be >> Well, I think what they're pointing to here is just the average person may not need 150 grams of protein.

[00:20:55]>> Well, right. Like the average person may not, but >> but they're jumping on the trend, too, right? They're all I mean it's everywhere right now.

[00:21:03]>> Yeah.

[00:21:03]>> Story number six. Now to new data out of the UK that gives a clearer picture of how quickly GLP-1 use is growing and how it's starting to change behavior.

[00:21:11]Research from IGD shows that the share of UK adults using GLP-1 medications reached 6% in March. That is nearly double the level from just 9 months earlier when usage was a little over 3% in June. The data comes from monthly polling of more than 2,000 nationally representative UK shoppers. Researchers point to two main drivers behind the increase. Broader availability of the medications and what they described as increased social proof, meaning more people are seeing real world results from others and becoming more comfortable with the idea of using them.

[00:21:46]Even with that growth, usage is still relatively concentrated. According to the report, more affluent midlife women are currently the primary group driving adoption. Younger adults between 18 and 24 along with those over 65 are the least likely to be using these medications today. One of the more notable barriers is how the medications is taken. The report says 39% of UK adults are deterred by injections, which is why the expected roll out of oral GLP1 options could expand adoption further. So, they haven't really been rolled out in the UK yet. The research also looked at how these medications are influencing eating and drinking habits and the results are mixed. Nearly six in 10 users reported a reduced preference for fatty foods and almost half say the same about sweet foods. At the same time, more than a quarter report an increased preference for sweet or creamy options, showing that responses can vary. Taste preferences are shifting in other ways as well. About a third of users say they enjoy spicy foods more, while just under a quarter say they enjoy them less. Beyond taste, behavior is changing. Four in 10 users report going out to restaurants less often, and three in 10 say they are drinking less alcohol. These shifts are being closely watched by the food and beverage industry, which is trying to understand how sustained GLP1 use could affect long-term consumption patterns. Some believe the impact could be structural, meaning it may reshape demand across categories over time. Taken together, the data points to two things happening at once. Adoptions accelerating, even if it is still early, and the effects are already showing up in how people eat, drink, and spend. Numbers from the UK, I'm sure it's very similar, although I would like to see them in the US because if you look at our viewer, that 65 and up crowd over >> in a big number, right? I was just thinking that we have a lot of uh subscribers that are in that age range of 65 and up. And if that's you, hit the like button and comment below.

[00:23:48]>> In story number seven, now we go to new research that adds another layer to how GLP1s may be affecting health beyond weight loss and blood sugar. A study presented at the American Academy of Allergy and Asthma, Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology found that GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with reduced asthma exacerbations in adults with overweight and obesity who do not have diabetes. The research analyzed realworld data from more than 3,000 individuals using the TRNET X global health network, tracking outcomes over a three-year period. The population included 710 people classified as overweight,515 with obesity, and 1249 with morbid obesity. Across all three groups, GLP1 use was linked to statistically significant reductions in asthma exacerbations.

[00:24:42]In the overweight group, risk was reduced by 14.6% with a risk ratio of 748. In the obesity group, risk fell by 12.2% 2% with a risk ratio of 790. In the morbid obesity group, risk declined by 13.3% with a risk ratio of 780. All results were statistically significant with P values below 0.001.

[00:25:10]Lead author Ruchi Patel said the consistency of the findings across weight categories was notable. While weight loss was expected to contribute, the similar magnitude of reduction across BMI groups suggests that there may be additional mechanisms beyond mechanical weight loss. Preclinical data has pointed to GLP-1 signaling potentially reducing airway inflammation. The findings build on earlier research in people with diabetes where GLP-1 therapies have also been linked to fewer asthma related events.

[00:25:40]This study extends that association to patients without diabetes. Independent experts say the results align with prior observation, but emphasize that the mechanism is still not fully understood.

[00:25:53]GLP-1 therapies are not currently approved for asthma and should remain guided by existing indications. The study also has limitations. It is observational, meaning it shows association rather than causation.

[00:26:07]researchers did not have detailed data on duration of GLP-1 use and weight loss itself could still be a contributing factor. Even with those limitations, the data adds to a growing body of evidence that GLP1s may have broader effects beyond metabolism, including potential impacts on inflammation and respiratory outcomes. Further randomized trials will be needed to determine whether these medications can directly improve asthma outcomes and to better understand how those events occur. I think we've heard people say this, right? People with asthma have less need for their >> rehab. Story number eight. Now to a development out of China that highlights how quickly the global GLP1 market is expanding and how competitive it is becoming. Fizer's GLP-1 weight management treatment, known locally as Xin Wing, is now available for pre-order in China. According to a Reuters review of listings on local e-commerce platforms, the drug, also known as Enoglutide, is part of the same class of medications used for weight management and type 2 diabetes. Ecnoglutide is a once-weekly GLP-1 therapy, which puts it broadly in line with WGOI in both mechanism and dosing. It targets the same GLP-1 receptor to reduce appetite, slow digestion, and improve blood sugar control. The key difference is that this is a newer molecule with less long-term clinical and real world data. So, while it works in a similar way, it's earlier in its overall development and understanding. One listing reviewed showed a 1.2 two milliliter injector pin priced at $489 un which converts roughly to 70 to75 US depending on exchange rates with shipping expected to begin April 27th. The availability on major online platforms signals a push towards broader commercial rollout and what analysts expect to be a multi-billion dollar market. The launch puts Fizer into more direct competition with established players already operating in China including Nova Nordisk and Eli Liy along with domestic manufacturer Invent Biologics. Sales data shows how quickly the category is growing. In 2025, WGOI generated about 260 million UN in sales on major Chinese e-commerce platforms, roughly 36 to 38 million US. while inventi reached about 416 million UN or around 58 to62 million US according to analysis from Jeffrey. Fizer entered this market through a licensing agreement earlier this year securing commercialization rights in mainland China from Guanghu based developer Swind. The company has also been expanding its position in obesity treatments more broadly, including acquiring obesity focused biotech Metera and adding additional GLP-1 candidates to its pipeline.

[00:29:00]Ecnoglutide is already approved in China as a treatment for type 2 diabetes and its availability for weight management reflects the growing demand for these medications beyond diabetes care. The pre-order launch offers a view into how access may evolve in large markets.

[00:29:15]Online platforms are playing a central role in distribution. Pricing is more visible and multiple competitors are entering at different price points. So basically 7075 bucks for a similar drug to ozip.

[00:29:29]>> What was it called?

[00:29:30]>> Echnogide. There's also a Chinese brand name. Don't ask me to remember that.

[00:29:34]>> These names sometimes are hard to pronounce. Now to new research that could expand how GLP1 therapies are understood. This time into joint health and arthritis. A study published in the Lancet rheumatology has identified small amounts of the body's natural GLP-1 hormone in synovial fluid, the lubricating fluid found inside joints.

[00:29:56]That finding is drawing attention because it suggests GLP-1 may play a direct role in joint biology, not just metabolism. GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Ozimpic, Zepbound, and Mjaro, are already widely used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. Over the past several years, researchers have been exploring whether their effects extend beyond those uses, including potential benefits in cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, fatty liver disease, and inflammatory conditions. This new finding adds to that line of research by showing that GLP-1 is present directly within joint environments. Senovial fluid plays a critical role in joint function, helping reduce friction and support cartilage health. The presence of GLP-1 in that fluid raises the possibility that the hormone could influence inflammation or tissue processes inside the joint itself.

[00:30:49]Researchers say that this could open the door to new treatment approaches for conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, both of which involve inflammation and joint damage.

[00:31:00]The idea is not just that GLP-1 drugs might help indirectly through weight loss, but they could have direct biological effects inside the joint. The study identifies the presence of GLP-1 in joint fluid, but it does not establish how strong that effect is, how it functions in disease, or whether current GLP-1 medications can meaningfully impact arthritis outcomes.

[00:31:23]For now, the finding points to a potential new pathway worth studying. If future research confirms a functional role for GLP-1 in joint inflammation and repair, it could eventually lead to new ways to approach arthritis treatment. So there's GLP1's in the fluid in your joints.

[00:31:41]>> Yeah. The way we'll know if the medication adds to that or >> Yeah. But we've seen other research particularly around knee pain, around knee problems, >> right? A lot of people have reported arthritis relief with >> not even just reports. We've reported about the clinical research. Now, I think the problem with that clinical research is they went, "Well, we know it helps, but we don't know why."

[00:32:02]>> Oh, and maybe it's now they know a little bit more about it.

[00:32:05]>> Maybe that points to it for sure. Story number 10, now to a move in access and distribution from a big retailer that could reshape how people get these medications. Amazon is expanding further into the space with a new weight management program through Amazon One Medical that connects obesity care with Amazon Pharmacy. This follows last week's announcement from Walmart, which said it is expanding its services for people taking GLP1s through its better care services platform, adding more comprehensive weight management and support. Amazon's program combines virtual care, in-person visits, prescription management, and pharmacy fulfillment into a single system. It is structured around ongoing treatment with the expectation of continued monitoring and followup rather than a one-time prescription. According to Amazon, patients will be able to access medications, including WGOI, along with newer oral GLP1 options. Pricing is presented upfront. For those with insurance, costs can start as low as $25 per month. For cashpaying patients, oral GLP-1 medications are expected to start around $149 per month, which is the same as everywhere else. While injectable treatments, including Zetbound, begin at approximately $299 per month, also the same as everywhere else. The company also plans to offer ondemand prescription renewals with messagebased consultations starting at $29 and video visits at $49. A key part of the model is delivery. Amazon is using its logistics network to offer sameday medication delivery in many areas with plans to expand that capability to roughly 4,500 cities by the end of 2026.

[00:33:42]This move builds on a broader push into healthcare. Amazon acquired One Medical for $3.9 billion in 2023, a few years after launching its online pharmacy. In 2024, the company folded its teleaalth marketplace into one medical, allowing patients to connect with providers through messaging or video for a flat fee. It has also started rolling out pharmacy kiosks inside one medical clinics that can dispense common medications on site. In practical terms, this type of setup could reduce delays between a prescription being written and a medication being received and may help limit gaps when refills are needed. At the same time, access still depends on factors like insurance coverage, clinical eligibility, and the need for ongoing medical oversight. Taken together, these announcements suggest that access to GLP1s is increasingly being shaped not just by the medications themselves, but by how care, prescribing, and delivery are organized around them. So, it's not a subscription model, though. It's not like Hims and Hers and Rose and and those where you're paying some of those you're paying like 150 bucks a month and you can see the doctor basically for $49 or $29 if if it's an email message.

[00:34:55]>> You don't even have to have a face tof face conversation with the doctor. You can just message them.

[00:35:00]>> I think probably the begin to begin with you have to. That's that's the $49 one.

[00:35:04]>> Uhhuh.

[00:35:05]>> Right. Um, but you know, we have a lot of people who like us in maintenance where it's the same prescription >> over and over again, >> right?

[00:35:13]>> There was a lady who commented the other day, she was paying, I think, 150 bucks a month or something to get a new prescription every month.

[00:35:20]>> That's a lot. Now, to new research looking at something less discussed, not what GLP1s do in the body, but how people react to them. A study published in Scientific Reports examined how people judge weight loss when medication is involved. The results were consistent across multiple experiments and they say something important about the stigma patients are still up against. The research was led by Tazzelo Tiso of Gant University in Belgium and Leopold Roth of the University of Vienna in Austria.

[00:35:51]They conducted four pre-registered studies between November 2024 and February 2025 across the United States, the United Kingdom and Belgium with a total of,5 participants. Each participant read about two men with identical weight loss goals. Both followed the exact same diet and exercise plan. Both reached the same goal in the same amount of time. The only difference that was that one of the men used an anti-obesity medication such as a GLP-1 alongside those lifestyle changes. This is an important detail.

[00:36:24]The medication user was not skipping the diet and exercise work. He was doing all of it and taking medication on top of it. The researchers designed it this way on purpose. Earlier studies often left it ambiguous whether the medication user was also putting in the lifestyle effort. By holding that effort constant, the authors made medication use the only variable that changed. And the results were striking. Across all four studies, participants consistently rated the man using the medication as putting in significantly less effort. Even though the vignette clearly stated he was doing the same diet and exercise as the other man, that perception of lower effort translated directly into broader judgments. The medication user was rated lower on moral character, lower on competence, and seen as less deserving of his weight loss outcome. He was also rated lower on warmth, although that effect was smaller than the others. In plain terms, participants saw the medication user as a less moral person, a less capable person, and someone who had not really earned his results, even though he had done the exact same work.

[00:37:34]In study number one, the drop in perceived effort for the medication user was mirrored by a similarly large decrease in moral character ratings.

[00:37:44]Both effects were large in statistical terms, meaning this was not a small or marginal finding. Statistical analysis across the studies confirmed that perceived effort was a strong predictor of moral evaluation. Lower effort scores were consistently associated with more negative judgments. The study also measured what these judgments could mean in real life. Participants were asked how satisfied they would be if they were paired with each man as a training partner for a charity marathon. They consistently reported lower willingness to be paired with the medication user.

[00:38:19]That suggests these perceptions are not just opinions on a survey. They can extend it to how people actually treat one another. Researchers link this pattern to a concept known as effort moralization. This is the tendency to judge people not just on what they accomplish, but how hard they appeared to have worked to get there. Under this thinking, weight loss achieved with the help of medication is often viewed as less earned, even when the patient has made the same lifestyle changes as someone losing weight without the medication. The study also found that beliefs about medication as a shortcut amplified the effect. Participants who held stronger views that anti-obesity medications reduce effort were more likely to assign negative moral and social judgments to the medication user.

[00:39:05]The findings come in the context of a global obesity population with more than 1 billion people with GLP-1 therapies becoming an increasingly common treatment option. The researchers note that these perceptions could have real consequences. They could discourage patients from seeking treatment. They could affect how patients are treated by family, friends, co-workers, and even clinicians. The authors conclude that while anti-obesity medicines are clinically effective, social attitudes around effort and merit remain a significant barrier. They call for public education and stigma reduction efforts. And they note that further research is needed to understand how these perceptions evolve as use becomes more widespread. None of this is surprising, especially to us. But now there is published peer-reviewed evidence confirming what many of us have already felt. The bias is real. It's measurable and it shows up even when patients are doing everything they have always been told to do. So no matter what you do, people are still going to judge you.

[00:40:05]>> And I went in and read the details of this. They basically gave two different stories about >> two different men >> with exactly the same details except one's taking a shot and one's not >> and they gave them all the they're doing they're >> they're doing the diet, they're doing all the things >> and people still had negative feelings toward the medication user.

[00:40:28]>> Yeah.

[00:40:28]>> Shocking. I mean, this just kind of reinforces what we've heard and seen.

[00:40:34]And I I think we as GLP1 users maybe need not be so concerned with how other people's attitudes are because we can't change them. There's no changing them. Even if we're dieting and exercising and doing all the things on top of taking our medication, people are still going to judge us for taking the medication. So, we're taking control of our health. we're taking control of our of our weight and we need to just really be more proud of that and stand up for ourselves when it comes to that.

[00:41:06]>> Oh, and we know the opposite is true, right? It's the we venerate football players and marathon runners and all these people as smarter, better, more morally, whatever.

[00:41:18]>> Yeah. Well, I mean, >> and they're not really either. What if you took an overweight person or a person with obesity and a normal weight person and just asked the people the same two qu, you know, these same series of questions?

[00:41:30]>> Oh, well, you know the answer.

[00:41:31]>> You know, you know what they, you know, they're going to judge the person with obesity much more harshly than the per person without obesity. It's like there's no win, so we might as well just not care about what people think.

[00:41:46]>> Yep.

[00:41:46]>> It's hard though.

[00:41:48]>> So, here's the truth. This space is changing so fast. If you blink, you miss something that could affect your access, your cost, or your results. The science is moving. The policy is moving. And if you're on this journey or trying to get there, staying informed isn't optional anymore. It's part of the treatment.

[00:42:04]>> And if you've ever thought, I wish I had people who actually get this, we built that. Head over to the downsize.org.

[00:42:12]That's where we have our GLP1 Amazon finds, our email list, and one more thing, and >> this is the part that we're really excited about. In June, we're taking the downsized off the screen and onto a cruise ship.

[00:42:24]>> June 4th through 8th, 2026, we're sailing on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas out of Miami. We'll be traveling to Nassau, Bahamas, and Perfect Day at Coco K. So far, it's about 80 real people on the same journey, spending a few days together.

[00:42:39]We're talking live shows, group dinners, and the kind of in-depth conversations you really can't have anywhere else.

[00:42:45]>> So, if you wanted to sit at dinner and just talk to somebody who's on the same path as you are, ask silly questions, talk about constipation, this is the place to come. Cuz if you've ever wanted to be in a room or on a deck with people who just get it, this is that. Details are at the downsize.org.

[00:43:04]There are still rooms on the ship available. So, click the cruise tab and go talk to our travel advisors, Kelly and Roberto, right now.

[00:43:12]>> And if this channel has helped you even a little, go ahead and like and subscribe. It really does help us to keep this going.

[00:43:19]>> And if you want to go deeper, there's Club Downsize, which is our YouTube membership program. Everything we do here stays free, but members get exclusive live shows and content we do not share anywhere else. Click the join button below to find out more. Thanks for spending part of your week with us.

[00:43:35]I'm Lorraine Durham.

[00:43:36]>> And I'm Christopher Durham.