The Economic Impact of Weight Loss Drugs

NBC News Radio National Correspondent Rory O'Neill joins us to discuss which industries are seeing boom and bust due to weight loss medications. 

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
So weight loss drugs are changing more than waistlines. This
is West Michigan's Morning News. Steve Kelly, I see Brad Pikita,
Lauren Smith, Rory and Neil NBC News Radio National correspondent.
Good day to you, sir.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
Hey, there's Steve. Good morning.

Speaker 1 (00:12):
So let's talk a little bit about ramifications of a
lot more people than ever taking these medications.

Speaker 2 (00:20):
Yeah, we're talking with go vi ozempic, those kinds of drugs.
More than twelve percent of Americans are now on these medications,
and as the cost comes down their availability becomes more common,
a lot more people will be using them because look,
for decades, America has had an obesity problem. But the
Washington Post just did a fascinating story looking at the

(00:41):
real fallout of having these slimming waistlines. That means people
are buying different clothes and not buying a double XL anymore.
Maybe they're buying more mediums. They're more likely to shop
at thrift stores since well, I'm on a weight loss journey,
i might only wear this a couple of times, so
I'm going to start thrifting. More have cravings for different

(01:01):
kinds of food. They're turning away from processed cookies and
chips instead opting for more fresh produce as they see
some of their weight loss gains materialized. This is something
that could have impact on everything from your local strip
mall to overseas travel.

Speaker 1 (01:18):
Fascinating and nobody saw that coming.

Speaker 2 (01:21):
Well, I think they did in different sectors, but I
don't think anyone saw it at this speed. Again, twelve percent,
twelve point four percent of the population now on these drugs,
and we saw a recent push by the Trump administration
to lower the cost. That's one big factor and of
why a lot of people haven't started these medications. And
these are also drugs that many of the patients will

(01:41):
have to use for the rest of their lives. So
it really is when you consider how many Americans could
be on them very soon, it really can shake up
a whole lot of different institutions.

Speaker 3 (01:52):
Well, Rory, I think about gims. I mean, this is
their time of the year, right, that push for the
new year, New Year. These are more affordable than that.
Hover Will we only see this trend continue and maybe
get wilder?

Speaker 2 (02:03):
Well? Right, because now look, if you say you're losing
fifty pounds, right, and terrific, And that's wonderful. Well, now
you're starting to feel your oats a little bit, right,
you say, all right, well, now that I'm seeing these gains,
let me get to the gym, let me tone up.
That's been one of the other factors. The weight loss
is so fast for many people, they need to go
to gyms and tone up. And then these gyms are

(02:23):
becoming almost consultation centers as more and more people are
on these medications. They may need help navigating the practical
because we've seen that some patients complain of weight loss
or other digestive issues or I'm sorry, not weight loss,
hair loss and other digestive issues. Actually some say they
are more likely to get pregnant on these medications, maybe

(02:44):
because they look more attractive. Who knows how it goes,
but all these different things are changing, so even the
gym has to respond.

Speaker 4 (02:51):
Well, Roy, and at that domino effect you're talking about,
just like you said, so hair growth products, right when
you start feeling your oats and feeling better, electrolyte supplements
because you're more athletic and you're you know, working out
at the gym, so that that push is there and
it just kind of spirals from there, right.

Speaker 2 (03:07):
Well, it does. And I think that, you know, when
Steve had asked, didn't anyone see this coming? I just
don't think we saw it coming at these levels, right,
I mean, to have twelve percent of the country already
on these drugs is remarkable.

Speaker 1 (03:19):
I had no idea the number was that big. That
is Rory O'Neil, NBC News Radio National correspondent, Thanks for
your time this morning.

Speaker 2 (03:27):
Hey, thanks to you.