Topline

Tesla boss Elon Musk called himself “Ozempic Santa” in an X-post on Christmas Day, marking the tech billionaire’s latest endorsement of weight-loss drugs as he pushes to make them more available to the general public.

Important facts

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What is the difference between Mounjaro and Ozempic?

Both Mounjaro and Ozempic can help you lose weight, but are specifically intended to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. However, a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that Mounjaro users achieved “significantly greater weight loss” than patients using Ozempic. Ozempic has a slight lead in list price ($968) compared to Mounjaro ($1,069).

Which other celebrities have used weight loss medications?

Celebrities who have publicly disclosed their use of weight loss medications include Whoopi Goldberg, Charles Barkley, Oprah Winfrey and Tracy Morgan. Goldberg said in an interview with Kelly Clarkson that she lost almost as much weight as two people this year and revealed that Mounjaro helped her keep the weight off.

tangent

Although some GLP-1 drugs are known for their effectiveness in weight loss, research has also found that the drugs may provide other benefits, including treating alcohol addiction, cancer, Alzheimer’s and COVID-19. Research has also shown that Ozempic may reduce the risk of an opioid overdose.

Important background

Musk’s push for affordable GLP-1 drugs comes at a time when lawmakers on both sides have sought expanded coverage for weight loss drugs. In June, the House Ways and Means Committee voted to lift the ban on weight-loss products covered by Medicare for some patients. The committee was inspired by a bipartisan House initiative that proposed expanded coverage for patients with a prescription for more than a year. President Joe Biden, who will soon leave office to President-elect Donald Trump, proposed Medicare and Medicaid coverage for weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. The proposal would designate obesity as a disease that could be treated with the drugs, meaning Medicare could provide the drugs after being barred from covering them in the past under the Medicare Modernization Act. It is unclear how and whether Trump would challenge the Biden policy when it takes effect next month.

Further reading

Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic would be covered by Medicare and Medicaid under Biden plan (Forbes)

Research Shows Ozempic and Wegovy Are Linked to Lower Hospitalizations Among Alcohol Addicts (Forbes)