How Demand for GLP-1s Overwhelmed the Global Drug System

GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic have become some of the world's most-wanted medicines, but soaring demand has also turned them into a stress test for the global drug system.

On this episode of Why It Matters, we trace how the GLP-1 trend led to shortages, a booming gray market, and steep price gaps driven by patent laws that vary across borders.

Host:

Gabrielle Sierra, Director of Podcasting, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

Guest:

Prashant Yadav, Senior Fellow for Global Health, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

Read More:

“6 Facts About Obesity and Weight Loss Drugs In the U.S.,” Pew Research Center

“The Expanding Benefits of GLP-1 Medicines,” Cell Reports Medicine

“Obesity Drugs Are Scaling Fast,” Morgan Stanley

“FDA’s Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss,” U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

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Why It Matters is a production of the Council on Foreign Relations. The opinions expressed on the show are solely those of the host and guests, not of the Council, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.