Novo Nordisk CEO sees ‘long runway’ for weight-loss drugs as obesity grips America
Novo Nordisk CEO argues wider adoption of Wegovy and similar medications could reduce healthcare costs and boost productivity
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The boom in weight-loss drugs may have transformed the obesity market, but Novo Nordisk’s CEO says the industry is still only scratching the surface with tens of millions of Americans potentially eligible for treatment.
Novo Nordisk President and CEO Mike Doustdar joined FOX Business’ Cheryl Casone on "Mornings with Maria" to discuss the adoption of GLP-1 drugs, their potential economic impact and the company’s outlook for medicines, including Wegovy.
Mike Doustdar, chief executive officer of Novo Nordisk, speaking during an interview. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg / Getty Images)
"We are clearly at early innings," Doustdar said, pointing to the large population living with obesity and relatively limited use of GLP-1 medications. He said more than 100 million people in the U.S. are suffering from obesity, while "somewhere around 10, 15% in a good day" have used a GLP-1.
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"There is a long runway still," he said.
Beyond weight loss, Doustdar said wider use of the drugs could eventually help Americans save on healthcare costs while bringing broader economic benefits.
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"I do think as we get there, not only you see the health benefits of these drugs, you also see the economical benefit of these drugs," he said.
Doustdar pointed to medication use as one area where a healthier, smaller population could reduce consumption. He used insulin, another product sold by Novo Nordisk, as an example of how dosage can vary with body size.
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"I sell insulin, and I know that a person who is larger does more insulin dose than someone who's smaller," he said.
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He also pointed to the potential value of healthier people returning to work and becoming more productive, arguing that the benefits could extend beyond the number on a scale.
"Then, of course, comes on top of that, the economical value that comes from people getting back to work healthier," Doustdar said. "People are more productive."
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