STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Lilly obesity drug data, a push for FDA to ban DTC ads, and more

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Lilly obesity drug data, a push for FDA to ban DTC ads, and more Many Medicare patients have opted for injectable forms of GLP-1 obesity drugs over pills Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanJuly 23, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Top of the morning to you, and a fine one it is. Sunny skies and mild breezes are enveloping the Pharmalot campus once again, making it possible for the official mascots to eat breakfast on the deck and take long naps. As for us, we are firing up the coffee kettle to make another cup of stimulation. Our choice today is hot buttered rum, an old standby. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here is the latest menu of tidbits to help you on your journey. We hope you have a meaningful and productive day and, of course, do stay in touch. … Eli Lilly reported more results showing its next-generation obesity drug is highly effective at weight loss, but data from the study, focused on people with heart disease, are not enough to answer a critical question — whether it reduces cardiovascular risk, STAT points out. The Phase 3 study enrolled nearly 2,000 people with severe obesity and heart disease, with or without diabetes. Those on the highest dose of the drug, called retatrutide, lost 22.6% of their weight after 80 weeks, while those on placebo lost 3.2%, when analyzing only participants who stayed on treatment. However, on prespecified analyses that looked at the occurrence of major cardiovascular events such as death, heart attack, or stroke, those taking retatrutide did not have a statistically significant lower risk of major events than those on placebo. Advertisement Many patients have opted for injectable forms of the popular GLP-1 obesity medications through a pilot program of the U.S. government’s Medicare health ​insurance program for Americans aged 65 and older, Reuters says. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this month ‌launched an 18-month trial program that for the first time opens access to Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Foundayo and Zepbound as weight loss treatment alone for a monthly cost of $50. Millions of people are expected to qualify, and doctors are being flooded with interest from patients. Many pharmaceutical industry experts had expected that patients would ​prefer pills over injections, for convenience, but 8 of 10 doctors interviewed and three pharma sector analysts said many are opting ⁠for injectables. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In pharmalittle, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Pharmalot July 23, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA is urged by advocacy group to ban DTC prescription drug ads Pharmalot July 22, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Trump’s plan for tariffs on generics, a Merck and Gilead HIV pill, and more Advertisement Pharmalot July 21, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Novo suing Lilly over ‘deceptive’ ads, a fugitive’s secret life in biotech, and more Pharmalot July 21, 2026 STAT Plus: Novo Nordisk sues Eli Lilly over GLP-1 drug ads it calls ‘deceptive’ Pharmalot July 20, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a telehealth firm and patient safety, PBMs overcharging, and more Subscriber Picks