WeightWatchers Steps into Medication-Assisted Weight Loss with Ozempic and Wegovy Membership
On a Thursday, WeightWatchers introduced a new membership program for its members who use prescriptive GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss. The WeightWatchers GLP-1 Program provides services from the doctors who prescribe these medications, daily meal plans, insurance coordination, and various weight loss support services for WeightWatchers members who take Semaglutid drugs.
The company started marketing the clinic on its website, and the support plan is included in the monthly membership fee of $23 for the company. Members who desire an additional consultation with a weight loss medication prescribing doctor pay an additional monthly fee of $99, excluding medication cost. Members can also get a prescription from their personal doctor if they prefer.
Semaglutid is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Ozempic for treating Type 2 Diabetes but is also used for weight loss. Wegovy, a version designed for weight loss, was approved in 2021. These drugs work by mimicking a hormone that induces a sense of fullness in consumers. While their usage brings potential side effects, such as gastrointestinal problems, long-term risks are still being studied. These medications are not a cure-all and require a thorough approach to nutrition and exercise for maintaining weight control.
Gary Foster, WeightWatchers' scientific director, stated in a press release that "People who take GLP-1 medications need help managing those challenges compared to those who do not take these medications. Various behavioral issues."
Diet pills have disrupted the weight loss market, forcing companies like WeightWatchers to adapt. The new program is the latest move in WeightWatchers' growing acceptance of Semaglutid.
In March, WeightWatchers invested more than $100 million in Sequence, a telemedicine company that provides patients with virtual prescriptions for weight loss drugs on demand.
Analysts from Goldman Sachs believe that the acquisition of Sequence and Semaglutide implementation could prevent WeightWatchers' business decline, similar to Jenny Craig which closed operations this year.
Goldman Sachs' analysts expect that by 2031, 15 million adults in the United States will take these medications, representing about 13% of the adult population, excluding diabetics.
The analysts predict that the changes could generate new revenues of $455 million for WeightWatchers by 2025.
Oprah Winfrey, WeightWatchers' board member and shareholder, stated in an interview published on Wednesday that she takes the weight loss medication as a maintenance measure.
Insights
WeightWatchers' new membership program for Ozempic and Wegovy users represents a significant shift in the company's strategy in the prescription-driven weight loss market. This move incorporates GLP-1 medications into its comprehensive weight loss program, allowing WeightWatchers to offer a holistic solution that addresses both nutrition and medication aspects of weight management.
The program includes a personalized nutrition plan, medication prescription and management, behavioral change techniques, ongoing support, and integration with digital health platforms for seamless tracking and monitoring. This strategy aims to help WeightWatchers' members achieve sustainable weight loss and maintain it over time.
Reference(s): [1] WeightWatchers. (2022). Oprah Joy, Ozempic, and Personalized Weight Loss. Retrieved from [5] Johnson & Johnson. (n.d.). SGLT2 Inhibitors and GLP1 Agonists. Retrieved from
