Pharmaceutical Industry Critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Weighs in on GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, discussed his stance on GLP-1 weight-loss drugs during a visit to the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. Kennedy emphasized the importance of lifestyle changes, such as eating well and maintaining a healthy weight, before resorting to medication.
Kennedy’s criticism of GLP-1 drugs has been a topic of discussion on Wall Street since his nomination. The drugs, which include Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic, as well as Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Mounjaro, have seen significant growth in popularity and have been credited with propelling Lilly’s stock to new heights. The market for GLP-1 drugs is expected to reach at least $100 billion by 2030.
Kennedy has previously suggested that the US should consider capping drug prices, specifically mentioning Novo’s Ozempic in his argument. He has also stated that weight-loss drugs do not address the root cause of obesity and instead benefit big pharma executives.
Kennedy was also asked about his stance on vaccines, following his previous claims that they are linked to autism. He denied being opposed to all vaccines, saying that his previous statements were untrue.