50% of Patients May NEVER Get GLP-1s? Lilly CEO Drops Bombshell!

In this episode of The Downsized News, Christopher and Laraine Durham break down one of the most important weeks yet for GLP-1 medications and the treatment of obesity—where massive investment, new data, and real-world access challenges are all colliding. A newly public drug company just raised $625 million to build the next generation of GLP-1 therapies, signaling just how big this market is becoming. But at the same time, a stark warning from David Ricks suggests that even at peak adoption, only about half of eligible patients may ever get access. That tension—between innovation and access—runs through every story in this episode. Christopher and Laraine also cover a major counterfeit drug operation involving Mounjaro, raising serious patient safety concerns as demand continues to outpace access. On the innovation side, early prescription data for Foundayo, Eli Lilly’s new oral GLP-1, offers a first look at how pill-based options could expand the market—especially for those hesitant to start injections. The episode explores what comes next, including a new DNA-based test designed to predict how patients will respond to GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide before they even begin treatment. Meanwhile, Walmart is expanding its healthcare platform to support GLP-1 users with virtual care, nutrition services, and pharmacy access—highlighting how retailers are moving deeper into this space. On the research side, new studies show that GLP-1 medications may directly improve liver health independent of weight loss, and could also be linked to reduced risk of substance use disorders. These findings continue to expand how scientists understand what these medications are doing in the body beyond the scale. The episode also takes a hard look at access and policy, including a Medicaid coverage battle in New Hampshire and new real-world data from the VA showing how GLP-1s perform outside of clinical trials. And finally, a new study on stigma reveals how patients using GLP-1s are still being judged differently—even when achieving the same results. This is a comprehensive, patient-focused look at the current state of GLP-1 medications, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic, semaglutide, tirzepatide, orforglipron, and Foundayo—and what all of it actually means for people trying to access and stay on these treatments long term. Christopher and Laraine share their own experience as patients who have lost more than 150 pounds combined and are now in maintenance, offering context and perspective throughout. As always, this content is for informational purposes only and reflects the lived experience and research interpretation of patients—not medical advice. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Get your Hume BodyPod today and use our exclusive Downsized code for up to 20% total savings! 👉 Use our Code: THEDOWNSIZED Link to purchase: https://humehealth.com//discount/THED... Start your weight loss journey today! We use Mochi Health: https://app.joinmochi.com/eligibility... Use Laraine’s code for $40 off: QIYGO8. Me Again Iphone GLP-1 App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/meagain... SHOP OUR AMAZON STORE: https://a.co/d/0gGe1MYq BOOK THE DOWNSIZED AT SEA CRUISE 2026: https://thedownsized.org/downsized-at... DOWNSIZED WEBSITE: https://thedownsized.org/ JOIN CLUB DOWNSIZED:    / @thedownsized   FOR SPONSORSHIPS, BRAND DEALS & COLLABS: https://thedownsized.org/contact/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 00:00 50% of Patients May NEVER Get GLP-1s? Lilly CEO Drops Bombshell! 01:45 GLP-1 News 01:48 Kailera Raises $625M to Challenge the GLP-1 Market 06:37 Eli Lilly CEO Warns Only Half of Patients May Get Access 09:31 Counterfeit Mounjaro Seized in India 13:33 Foundayo Prescriptions Show Early Launch Momentum 17:29 DNA Testing Aims to Predict GLP-1 Response 21:12 Walmart Expands GLP-1 Care 24:12 New Study Shows GLP-1s Improve Liver Health Directly 28:11 GLP-1s Linked to Lower Risk of Addiction 31:11 Medicaid Coverage Battle in New Hampshire 35:03 Study Reveals Stigma Around GLP-1 Weight Loss 40:48 VA Study Shows Real-World GLP-1 Results