Overview

• WeightWatchers has filed for U.S. bankruptcy as GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy redefine weight management approaches, leading to declining memberships in traditional diet programs.
• Americans spent $71 billion on GLP-1 weight-loss injections in 2023, with an estimated 500,000 private prescriptions for these drugs in the U.K. by early 2025.
• Emerging oral alternatives, such as hydrogel-based pills Sirona and Epitomee, are in clinical trials, aiming to offer less invasive, lower-cost options for weight loss.
• Concerns grow over side effects of GLP-1 drugs, including dental health risks like dry mouth, enamel erosion, and gum disease, as well as gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting.
• Weight regain after discontinuing GLP-1 therapies highlights the need for long-term solutions, with new pills targeting sustainable weight management and preventing relapse.