On the Pivot podcast, Scott Galloway gave his optimistic prediction about the effect that Ozempic (and Wegovy) would have on American society. He said he expected the prices would drop from $1000/month to more affordable levels over time. He imagined a future where people needed fewer medications for physical conditions, mental health issues and lifestyle problems caused by obesity. He predicted that a large percentage of obese people in the US would benefit. In addition, he anticipated that even more people, who are overweight people but not technically obese would use it.
He predicts this will make an enormous economic and social impact on society. He said, “Imagine there are fewer knee and hip replacements. People are mobile and more physically capable. People are less depressed. Diabetes rates decline. Instead of spending money on soda, junk food and treating chronic conditions exacerbated by obesity, people use their money to improve the quality of their lives.”
He mentioned that some of the people he knows who are using it also report they consume less alcohol because their desire to drink had dropped along with their desire to eat.
He even said that Walmart has already mentioned they are seeing or are anticipating to see a drop in food sales (esp. of soda, snacks and junk food). He predicted that soda companies and junk food manufacturers will experience this too.
He said, “This will impact the US more in the next year than AI.”
It’s an interesting prediction.
I hope he’s right.
So far, I don’t know anyone personally who is using Ozempic. Or if they are, they haven’t told me. That’s not surprising given my small social circle of non-famous, non- public people.
I would predict that Scott’s prediction will not come true unless insurance covers the costs or the price drops significantly.
He’s worth over $100M and travels in the the circles of the ultra wealthy. For Ozempic to change the world, it’s got to come way down in price.