Can weight loss drugs help curb drug addiction?
GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide may help people avoid developing dependence on drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and cocaine, a study has found.
Unbranded – Newsworthy
Amazon is rolling out a new GLP-1 program aimed at simplifying access to the popular weight loss drug, from doctor visits to prescription delivery.
On April 21, the company announced that Amazon One Medical’s new Comprehensive GLP‑1 Management Program brings treatments into patients’ daily primary care and allows clinicians to monitor how weight loss intersects with cardiovascular health, metabolic status, and overall health. The program is available at Amazon One Medical stores nationwide.
Amazon says prescriptions can be picked up through Amazon Pharmacy with transparent pricing and “convenient shipping options.” Patients can access both injectable and oral GLP-1 medications through Amazon Pharmacy.
“To make it easier for customers to receive treatment”
The company said prices start at $25 a month for patients with insurance, while uninsured patients will pay at least $149 a month for the oral drug and $299 a month for the injectable drug.
“Expanding access to the latest GLP‑1 medicines with up-front, transparent pricing makes it easier for customers to receive the treatments their healthcare providers prescribe and stick with them by ensuring those medicines are delivered directly to patients,” Tanvi Patel, vice president and general manager of Amazon Pharmacy, said in a news release.
Amazon says its medicines are available in all 50 states and currently offers same-day delivery in about 3,000 cities and towns, with plans to expand to about 4,500 locations by the end of the year.
What are GLP-1 drugs and how do they work?
GLP-1 drugs are FDA-approved drugs used to lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Many of the same drugs are also prescribed for weight loss, and different formulations and doses are approved for each use.
GLP‑1 stands for glucagon-like peptide‑1, a natural hormone that helps regulate metabolism, or how your body uses energy. USA TODAY previously reported. After a meal, GLP‑1 increases insulin production, which limits the release of sugar into the bloodstream, slows digestion, and signals the brain that you’re full.
Because of these effects, people taking GLP-1 drugs often experience fewer blood sugar spikes, less appetite, and feeling fuller after meals faster and longer, which can lead to weight loss over time.
