The Economics of Weight Loss Drugs, Thinness, and Class Signaling

We’ve all heard about Ozempic. But there are the GLP-1s we colloquially call “Ozempic” (see also: Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound) and then there’s the cultural role of Ozempic. Given the price of these drugs, barriers to access, and class implications of weight stigma, this topic presents a unique opening to talk about inequality in health outcomes and the profitable business of individualizing social problems. In part one of this rare two-part series, we’re covering: The wage penalties associated with (and relationship between) weight and women, and the parallels between the American attitudes about thinness and wealth The Danish pharma company that put Europe’s entire economy on its back A conversation with a 12-year veteran of drug and device advocacy who said some of the surrounding issues represent, and I quote, “everything wrong with health policy in our country,” especially given the shortages, costs, and online pharmacies springing up to bridge that gap with non-FDA-approved solutions Let’s take a peek at the inside the business of weight loss drugs, and join us here next week for part two. Transcripts, show notes, production credits, and more can be found at: https://moneywithkatie.com/weight-loss-drugs . Money with Katie’s mission is to be the intersection where the economic, cultural, and political meet the tactical, practical, personal finance education everyone needs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices