Ep. 47: Weight loss drugs with Robert Kushner, MD

Medical Economics Senior Editor Richard Payerchin and Robert Kushner, MD, professor of medicine and medical education at Northwestern university talking about the latest advancements in treating obesity, and how physicians should approach the drugs making a splash across the industry.

Check out our previous episodes about social media health information, noncompete clauses, physicians in politics, and malpractice.

Music Credits: Future Medicine by mark woollard - stock.adobe.com
Relaxing Lounge by Classy Call me Man - stock.adobe.com
COCKTAIL by Mythical Audio - stock.adobe.com

Editor's note: Episode timestamps and transcript produced using AI tools.

Introduction to social media's Impact (00:00:00)
Discussion on the prevalence of social media and its role in shaping health perceptions.

Introduction to new medications (00:00:00)
Discussion on understanding the administration and combination of new medications for weight loss and health improvement.

Podcast introduction (00:00:20)
Host introduces the episode featuring Richard Payerchin andRobert Kushner, MD, discussing obesity treatment advancements.

Current status of physicians (00:01:15)
Kushner highlights physicians' increasing awareness and adoption of new obesity medications.

Effectiveness of new medications (00:02:02)
Overview of how new medications improve weight loss and health outcomes compared to previous treatments.

Not a cure-all (00:03:38)
Kushner clarifies that while effective, these medications are not a complete solution for obesity.

Patient questions and concerns (00:05:14)
Common patient inquiries about candidacy for new medications and managing side effects.

Criteria for candidacy (00:06:45)
Discussion on body mass index (BMI) criteria for patients to qualify for obesity medications.

Economic factors in treatment (00:08:34)
Challenges regarding medication affordability and insurance coverage impacting treatment decisions.

Personal experience with medications (00:09:03)
Kushner shares his extensive experience prescribing various obesity medications.

Treatment regimen approach (00:10:55)
Emphasis on addressing obesity as a chronic disease with appropriate treatment strategies.

Lifestyle foundation for treatment (00:13:10)
Importance of lifestyle changes alongside pharmacotherapy in obesity management.

Avoiding counterfeit medications (00:15:40)
Discussion on the dangers of counterfeit drugs and the importance of sourcing legitimate medications.

Long-term study insights (00:18:30)
Insights from a study on semaglutide and its acceptance rate among patients regarding side effects.

Future of obesity medications (00:21:18)
Predictions on the long-term safety and efficacy of semaglutide based on recent studies.

Financial predictions for coverage (00:23:54)
Discussion on potential changes in medication coverage and the future of obesity treatment advancements.

Introduction to new medications (00:24:36)
Discussion on glucagon and amylin medications showing promise in obesity treatment trials.

Oral medications development (00:25:10)
Anticipation for oral small molecule medications that mimic injectable treatments for obesity.

Medicare approvals and cost implications (00:25:42)
Medicare's approval of semaglutide for certain patients and the need to reduce medication costs.

Future of medication pricing (00:26:29)
Expectations for price renegotiation and the potential for generic medications to lower costs.

Importance of primary care engagement (00:26:48)
Emphasis on primary care physicians' role in managing obesity with new medications and lifestyle changes.

Closing remarks (00:27:59)
Gratitude expressed for the discussion and the importance of familiarity with obesity treatments.