OMG! He's On Ozempic.
The sky is blue, school is in session, and I am on leave from work. This combination sounds dangerous, but I promise you that I am thriving. I am readjusting myself to adding college level courses to my schedule. It feels very refreshing and fulfilling to be using my brain. At my full-time job, I do very little work that requires much mental skill. I already feel like my reading comprehension needs some work, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that I have a successful Fall semester. My professors seem engaged, enthusiastic about their subjects, and I am hoping for the best!
Today’s topic is the rise of Ozempic, and other weight loss medications that have hit the market over the last 2-3 years. The accessibility to ozempic and other drugs like it have increased. At this point, you can get on a telemedicine video call with a provider within the next 7 days, and have your prescription delivered by the next business day. I think even Hims/Hers has their own GLP-1 offering now. This company is truly the best example of accessibility introduction. I remember in 2016 hearing about how this company was breaking the negative stigma surrounding erectile dysfunction. There were ads plastered all over NYC subway cars promoting their discreet packaging and options to chat further with specialists to be prescribed something for almost any physical insecurity that you could think of.
Weight loss meds are still new, so at this point, a lot of analysts are just sort of guessing what consumer behavior might look like within the next year or so. Many are rallying for increased spending on snacking and unhealthy eating habits. As a result, I am currently seeing growth in stocks like UTZ, HSY (Hershey), K (Kellanova), MDLZ (Mondelez International).
More predictions and conversations surrounding the future of GLP-1 drugs can be found in this book, which is actually on my wish list right now - Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs.
A close friend of mine started his journey on Ozempic this past week and something in me was like “is this my sign to finally invest in Novo Nordisk?”. I literally had the tab open on Yahoo Finance, ready to pull the trigger on a buy, when he said something that I never thought would come out of his mouth.. “I think I want to see a nutritionist and start going on walks”. Upon further unpacking this statement, I got a new perspective. New users are admitting to wanting to assist with the weight loss effects of GLP-1 drugs in order to see results faster. But then seasoned users of the drugs are taking the opposite approach which is pretty much “it doesn't matter what I eat, I won't gain weight” and alternatively, they eat more unhealthy foods that landed them at their original BMI prior to starting the medication. Without exposing too much information on my friends, I think it might be helpful for any of you reading to open the conversation to friends and families and ask "what would your diet look like if you could afford Ozempic right now?".
I don't feel as much anxiety around GLP-1 drugs as I did with bitcoin. I think more weight loss drugs are coming in the future. As of two days ago, a study confirmed that Novo Nordisk’s drug is now safe for children as young as age six. As much as I feared that this day would come, is this how America will battle its childhood obesity issue?
The accessibility of weight loss drugs falls under my category for things that influence consumers the most.. if it has anything to do with money, physical appearance, food, or sex- it’s a buy.
Have a great weekend yall!
Frank.
