Ozempic sparks weight-loss gold rush.
Insurance companies are cracking down on doctors who prescribe Ozempic, a diabetes drug that has gained popularity as a weight-loss treatment, for off-label use. The high price tags of GLP drugs, combined with the huge population that could benefit from them, presents a conundrum for insurance companies. Insurers appear to be tightening rules to prevent off-label prescriptions for now, but that could change if Ozempic and similar drugs are shown to have broader health benefits associated with losing weight.