Ozempic use increases by about 7% among workers

The survey analyzed 4,300 employees from 250 Brazilian companies

New investigation by Vidalinkcorporate wellness plan company in Brazil, highlights a 6.79% increase in subsidy for Ozempic units in the first half of 2024, among 4,300 employees of 250 companies in the country, compared to the first half of 2023. In relation to In the first half of 2022, this growth reaches 24%, reflecting the growing popularity of the medicine in recent years with treatment adherence.

The increase, however, becomes worrisome for companies when the prescribed use of Ozempic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes is inappropriately repurposed for cosmetic purposes, without including professional monitoring in benefit programs.

According to Luis González, CEO and co-founder of Vidalink, although Ozempic stands out for its slimming effect, it is necessary to combine the pharmacological aid with adequate professional monitoring to ensure effective treatment. “We must combat misinformation about the effects of Ozempic to guarantee its positive benefits,” he emphasizes.

The survey examines subsidies provided by companies to support their employees in prescription drug treatments.

“The aesthetic motivation should not undermine the importance of the drug as part of the treatment of type 2 diabetes,” says Luis González.

Ozempic is the brand name of an injectable medicine whose active substance is semaglutide, a synthetic form of the hormone GLP-1. It is a medicine approved by the National Agency for Health Surveillance (Anvisa) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

To better understand the implications and impact of Ozempic in the workplace, we spoke to two experts: endocrinologist Daniel Vicaria and nutritionist Clarissa Fujiwara.

Why did it gain popularity?

Ozempic has started to gain attention for its weight loss effects, widely shared by celebrities and influencers on social media. Endocrinology studies indicate weight loss of up to 18%.

The introduction of Ozempic on the market has brought a new perspective in the treatment of diabetes, the endocrinologist emphasizes.

“Although not all obese people develop diabetes, all diabetic patients have or have had some degree of obesity. The effectiveness of Ozempic in promoting weight loss is actually linked to the treatment of type 2 diabetes. When you gain weight, fat begins to accumulate in the liver, heart and pancreas, for example, leading to oxidative stress in the body. The onset of many diseases is linked to excessive fat accumulation, resulting from being overweight,” explains Daniel Vicaria.

According to the expert, a reduction in body weight of about 15% can reverse diabetes in up to 90% of cases. Sustainable losses of 10% and 5% of body weight can reverse the disease in 60% and 30% of patients, respectively.

What are the main risks and benefits?

Nutritionist Clarissa Fujiwara warns of the risks when the drug’s use goes beyond its medical purpose.

“A red flag goes off when the pursuit of results is based on unhealthy aesthetic goals. This can have a negative impact on the physical sphere, leading to inappropriate eating behaviors, such as extremely restrictive diets or unsustainable eating patterns, as well as damaging social relationships and daily activities,” she says.

For Daniel, the only negative effect of Ozempic is not related to semaglutide, but to inappropriate use: “Even today it is difficult to determine whether the use of the drug can be considered negative. The main harmful effect occurs when patients self-medicate, placing all their hopes only on Ozempic, without adequate guidance and supervision. This is due both to the overstimulation of consumption, caused by social networks, and to the lack of supervision, even by non-specialized professionals who prescribe the medicine”.

Irregular use can also impact an individual’s quality of life, says Clarissa: “I have followed patients who, despite showing significant weight loss in a short period, used semaglutide irregularly and without following medical recommendations. These patients often suffered from gastrointestinal effects such as nausea and constipation. Furthermore, adopting an extremely restrictive diet to meet minimum needs resulted in a reluctance to exercise – despite recognizing its importance – and also to carry out daily activities, which directly impacted quality of life.”

How can companies support the healthy use of Ozempic?

Experts emphasize that Ozempic can be used healthily, as long as it is accompanied by conscious and long-term choices. “Drug treatment must be associated with lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, reducing sedentary lifestyle, encouraging physical exercise, managing stress and improving sleep quality,” recommends the nutritionist.

“Change requires months, years, or even decades of adaptation and creating an error-free environment before gradually reducing the medications that helped achieve the goal,” Daniel says.

In companies, drug subsidies are an important step in financially supporting employee well-being, but they should not be the only one.

“As part of a culture of well-being, it is essential that the company offers employees reliable professional support to encourage a healthy and significant change in habits, always keeping in mind that the benefits program must be adapted to the specific needs of each employee. For example, a patient with type 2 diabetes must receive specific guidelines regarding nutrition, physical activity and regular use of Ozempic”, concludes Luis González.

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Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.