In this episode of Beyond the Scale: The Ozempic Effect, hosts Terry Turner and Christian Simmons explore the high cost of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy — and why many Americans still can’t afford them.

Former Congressman Robert Andrews, a key architect of the Affordable Care Act and now CEO of the Health Transformation Alliance, explains why these medications remain so expensive and what it would take to bring prices down.

Pharmacist and Liviniti co-founder Dr. Steven Boyd takes listeners behind the scenes of the drug pricing system, shedding light on the role pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) play in driving up costs — and how employers are pushing back to make coverage more transparent and affordable.

Clinical pharmacist Dr. Elizabeth Van Dril returns to discuss the risks of compounded GLP-1 drugs, often sold at lower prices but without FDA approval or consistent quality. If you’re wondering who gets access to these life-changing medications — and why — this episode breaks it down.

Learn more at Drugwatch.com.

In this episode of Beyond the Scale: The Ozempic Effect, hosts Terry Turner and Christian Simmons break down how GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro work inside the body. These medications do more than suppress appetite — they change digestion, regulate blood sugar and even influence fat metabolism.

Clinical pharmacist Dr. Elizabeth Van Dril explains why these drugs are considered a breakthrough for people with and without diabetes. Diabetes expert Dr. William Hsu delves into the unique mechanisms of action, while metabolic health specialist Dr. Matt Chalmers examines how these medications aid the body in burning fat more efficiently. Finally, pharmacist-turned-nutrition and fitness coach Dr. Ashley Dwyer explains why these drugs aren’t a quick fix and must be paired with long-term lifestyle changes. This episode uncovers the science behind GLP-1s — and what it takes to make them work for lasting results.

Learn more at Drugwatch.com

Where did drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro come from? In this premiere episode of Beyond the Scale: The Ozempic Effect, hosts Terry Turner and Christian Simmons trace the surprising origins of GLP-1 medications — from a hormone found in Gila monster venom to one of the most talked-about drug classes in the world.

Joined by clinical pharmacists Dr. Lauren Cunningham and Dr. Elizabeth Van Dril, they explore how GLP-1 drugs revolutionized diabetes treatment and reshaped the way we manage obesity. Dr. William Hsu, a former Harvard diabetes expert, explains why GLP-1s were a game changer. And Dr. Ashley Dwyer, a fitness coach and former pharmacist, offers a cautionary take on the social media frenzy and side effects driving headlines.

Discover the science, history and unexpected rise of these powerful medications and how they’re changing lives and stirring controversy.

Learn more about Ozempic at Drugwatch.com.