Not from Ortho
I just connected the dots today on this massive trend.
It’s ironic that the largest change in the orthopedic industry in history will not come from inside the industry, but from pharma.
Picture this: A future with fewer joint surgeries, less foot and ankle procedures, and a decrease in lumbar spine surgeries as a result of second-order obesity effects. Remember the Covid year when total joints surgeries decreased by 20% ? Now think about the Covid effect forever with 10% to 20% less procedures than normal based on demographics.
Changes to the size of the market.
I believe that the large public orthos will have to trim their revenue guidance in 2024 and beyond because in the first time in history the pool of patients will shrink.
ZB is already getting ahead of this trend in setting expectations. In the last earnings call, ZB mentioned the potential impact of the weight loss drugs on the total hip and total knee market sizes in the long term.
Changes to ortho employees
If you work for an orthopedic company that relies on the volume of procedures rising every year, you are in trouble.
If you work for an orthopedic company that provides a truly unique treatment solution that doesn’t rely on volume of procedures increasing, you are fine.
It’s not hype—it’s a revolutionary shift in our field.
What’s causing this seismic change specifically?
Enter GLP-1 drugs, the superheroes of weight loss. GLP-1s are a groundbreaking class of medications that help drive weight loss by changing brain signaling. And research shows that they’re extremely effective. This isn’t just speculation; my son-in-law is living proof of their impact. He is taking Ozempic sold by Novo Nordisk. Cost is $892/month but my son-in-law only pays $25/month with insurance.
Prepare for a health transformation as GLP-1 drugs take center stage, significantly slashing obesity and diabetes rates while simultaneously diminishing the demand for surgeries across orthopedics.
How do GLP-1s work?
What makes GLP-1 drugs the unparalleled champions of patient health? They offer an affordable solution to curb appetite, shed pounds, and enhance overall well-being. These wonder drugs go beyond conventional diabetes medications with their remarkable advantages:
- Effective blood sugar control: Forget the insulin rollercoaster—GLP-1 drugs excel at lowering blood sugar without the risk of hypoglycemia.
- Weight management: Say goodbye to crash diets; GLP-1 drugs suppress appetite and melt away fat, paving the way for sustainable weight loss.
- Cardiovascular benefits: Beyond the scale, these drugs may even lower blood pressure and reduce the threat of heart disease, offering a holistic approach to health.
- Convenience: Bid farewell to daily medication routines; injectable GLP-1RAs are a breeze, typically administered once or twice a week, while oral options only require a once or twice-daily commitment.
The Drug Companies
Today, several drug companies sell GLP-1 medications, each with its own brand name products. Here’s a list of some of the major players in the GLP-1 market and their respective brand names:
- Novo Nordisk:
- Ozempic (semaglutide)
- Wegovy (semaglutide)
- Rybelsus (oral semaglutide)
- Eli Lilly and Company:
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
- Trulicity (dulaglutide)
- AstraZeneca:
- Bydureon (exenatide extended-release)
- Byetta (exenatide)
- Takeda:
- Tokudai (albiglutide)
- Tanzeum (liraglutide)
- Boehringer Ingelheim:
- Jardiance (empagliflozin)
- Synjardy (empagliflozin and metformin)
- GlaxoSmithKline:
- Tradjenta (linagliptin)
- Jentadueto (linagliptin and metformin)