Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist drugs have taken the health care industry by storm, and with the outsized influence of social media, they’re often seen as a “wonder drug” in the treatment of weight loss. But despite their popularity and effectiveness, Prime Therapeutics’ (Prime) latest real-world research has found that 85% of individuals who newly started GLP-1 therapy for weight loss were no longer taking the drug after two years. The research further amplifies the need for obesity care management programs to improve adherence and overall health outcomes.

This topic was the focus of an educational briefing for members of Congress and their staff — “GLP-1 Drugs + Food is Medicine: A New Recipe for Success in Treating Obesity?” — held at the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. earlier this month. 

Pat Gleason, PharmD, assistant vice president of health outcomes at Prime, was among the briefing’s panelists, which also featured Dariush Mozaffarian, M.D., DrPH, director, Tufts Food is Medicine Institute. Both of whom were also guests on Prime’s recent Pharmacy Friends podcast, “Weight management — A holistic journey.”

Gleason, Mozaffarian and the panel shared their insights on how drug therapies, like GLP-1s, should just be a piece of a larger health management strategy puzzle. 

“[Obesity is] a disease that requires lifestyle modification, wellness programs … it’s so much more than prescribing that GLP-1,” Gleason said. “You need to have a team … that includes dieticians, coaching, a pharmacist, a physician and a full-service suite in order to succeed.”

Gleason went on to describe how reliance on GLP-1s alone for weight loss was akin to the rise of nicotine replacement therapies to aid with smoking cessation decades ago. 

“You have to make those behavioral changes, and then the drug therapy is ancillary,” he added. “It’s an additive to that complete suite of [therapy].”

One unique aspect of the briefing was the inclusion of a patient who shared her experience.

“It was a team that helped me with my health journey,” said Phyllis Jackson, a panelist who also is taking GLP-1s as part of a health improvement strategy, which includes a robust diet and exercise regimen. She also described taking classes with a community organization that has taught her to grow and prepare fruits and vegetables. As a result of these efforts — and under the watchful eye of her health care provider — Jackson has lost weight and improved her A1C levels.

For additional insights, visit Prime's GLP-1 Strategy page.