The United States is in the grips of an obesity epidemic, with over 40% of adults and 20% of children classified as obese. It’s a crisis we’ve known about for decades, but only recently has science delivered a real glimmer of hope: anti-obesity medications (AOMs) like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide). These drugs don’t just help patients lose weight—they’re showing potential to slow or even reverse obesity-related conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
But there’s a problem: price and access. At around $1,000 lost price per month, these medications are prohibitively expensive for most Americans. Insurance coverage remains patchy, with public programs like Medicare and Medicaid often excluding them altogether. Add amidst supply chain challenges, manufacturing constraints, and stigmas around obesity treatment, and it’s clear we’re leaving life-changing innovation locked behind a Great Wall of inaccessibility.
So what’s the solution? Look to Operation Warp Speed (OWS). This initiative transformed the fight against COVID-19, delivering vaccines and treatments at breakneck speed by combining government funding, private-sector innovation, and streamlined processes. What if we applied the same playbook to obesity and AOMs? Here’s what that could look like.
1. Inject Massive Federal Funding
OWS succeeded because the government didn’t just fund research—it de-risked development for private companies by committing billions of dollars. The same approach could accelerate research into AOMs, especially for next-generation treatments that go beyond the incretin pathways. Clinical trials, long-term studies, and infrastructure for scaling production could all benefit from a similar injection of federal cash.
2. Forge Public-Private Partnerships
OWS worked because it united the government, pharma, and logistics providers under one roof. We need the same coordination for obesity. Public health agencies like the NIH, FDA, and CDC should work hand-in-hand with pharma giants like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, alongside compounding pharmacies, insurers, and community health organizations.
3. Subsidize Access and Insurance Coverage
Access is the Achilles’ heel of obesity treatments. Medicaid and Medicare need to fully cover AOMs, and private insurers should be incentivized to follow suit. Beyond insurance, direct subsidies for low-income individuals—like a federal “Obesity Savings Card”—could cap out-of-pocket costs and make these treatments affordable for those who need them most. Medicare should have the ability to arbitrate the cost of all medications to keep costs down.
4. Accelerate FDA Approvals
OWS didn’t just fund vaccines—it slashed timelines by running clinical trials and manufacturing in parallel. For obesity, the FDA could fast-track new AOMs, expand indications for existing ones, and approve manufacturing facilities more quickly. Streamlining regulatory processes could bring treatments to market faster without sacrificing safety.
5. Incentivize Domestic Production
We learned the hard way during COVID-19: reliance on overseas production is risky. The U.S. should incentivize domestic manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for AOMs. Tax breaks, grants, or low-interest loans for manufacturers could build a secure supply chain while creating American jobs.
6. Rethink the Delivery System
The auto-injector pens used for AOMs are convenient but costly and wasteful. Dave Ricks, the CEO of Eli Lilly recently referred to the injector
pens as some of the most complicated devices to manufacture on the planet. Prioritizing the production of medication vials instead would immediately reduce costs and dramatically increase supply. This approach during the shortages of these medications is the reason compounding pharmacies were able to crank out 80,000,000 doses of compound GLP-1 in 2023.
7. Implement National Bulk-Buying Programs
OWS succeeded in part because the federal government negotiated massive bulk purchases of vaccines. A similar program for AOMs could leverage the government’s purchasing power to secure lower prices while guaranteeing manufacturers a market. Bulk-buying could also ensure a steady supply for Medicaid, Medicare, and VA programs.
8. Protect Compounding Pharmacies
Compounding pharmacies (503Bs) played a vital role during medication shortages, yet they face heavy scrutiny and regulatory hurdles. Federal protections for 503Bs could ensure they’re able to safely and effectively supplement the supply of AOMs, particularly in rural or underserved areas.
9. Reform SNAP and School Meal Programs
Obesity prevention starts with nutrition, and two of the biggest levers the government has are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and school meal programs. Reforming these programs to emphasize fresh, whole foods over processed, high-calorie options could set the foundation for healthier lifestyles from a young age.
10. Expand SNAP to Cover Fitness Equipment
Physical activity is a critical component of weight management, but many low-income individuals lack access to resources like gym memberships or home fitness equipment. Expanding SNAP benefits to cover fitness gear—think resistance bands, weights, or even fitness app subscriptions—could encourage movement and complement medication use.
11. Tax Credits for Wellness Participation
Employers have a role to play, too. Offering tax incentives for businesses that implement wellness programs—such as subsidizing gym memberships or offering rewards for meeting fitness goals—could promote healthier habits in the workplace and reduce obesity rates over time.
The Time for Bold Action Is Now
Obesity is a public health crisis that demands a public health response. Anti-obesity medications represent a breakthrough, but without significant changes to funding, access, and infrastructure, their promise will remain unrealized for most Americans. By adapting the Operation Warp Speed framework, we can build a comprehensive strategy to tackle obesity with the urgency it requires.
This isn’t just about weight loss—it’s about national security. It’s about saving lives, cutting healthcare costs, and creating a healthier, more equitable future. Effective treatments a re here, there is no acceptable reason to wait until this epidemic spirals further out of control. The time for bold action is now.
Stay tuned to OnThePen.com for more updates and in-depth analysis on the latest developments in obesity treatments and advocacy. If you found this article helpful, share it within your networks to help bring awareness to this critical issue.
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