New GLP-1 Injections Reshape Diabetes & Obesity Care — But Raise Equity Concerns
Breakthrough GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are reshaping diabetes and obesity treatment with improved blood sugar control and significant weight loss. However, off-label use for cosmetic purposes raises ethical concerns. Despite tirzepatide’s stronger results, both carry health risks and remain largely inaccessible to low-income populations, especially in countries like Indonesia. As demand rises, fair and ethical distribution is essential.
6/25/20253 min read
INAVIMED, June 2025 — Breakthrough GLP-1 injections for diabetes such as Semaglutide, Tirzepatide and their counterparts are revolutionizing treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity, offering patients not only better glycemic control but also dramatic weight loss. However, this medical marvel comes with new ethical questions: Is it healthcare or cosmetic enhancement?
GLP-1 Drugs: How They Work & Why They're Game-Changing
GLP-1 receptor agonists, like semaglutide for obesity and tirzepatide, mimic a gut hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite. Originally approved as diabetes treatment, these injections are gaining popularity as anti-obesity drugs due to their dual benefits:
Suppress appetite and promote satiety
Improve insulin sensitivity and lower A1C
Support significant, sustainable weight loss
Clinical trials show tirzepatide benefits include 3x higher likelihood of losing ≥15% of body weight than semaglutide.
From Lifesaver to Lifestyle Drug? The Medical vs. Cosmetic Debate
Though Semaglutide for weight loss is not FDA-approved outside of diabetes, it is widely used off-label. This trend has raised ethical and clinical debates about GLP-1 drug misuse.
"The question isn't just can you take Semaglutide to slim down — it's should you?"
— Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent
The rising use of weight loss drugs among people without diabetes has blurred the line between medically indicated therapy and cosmetic desire.
A Global Health Equity Issue: Who Gets GLP-1?
Access to GLP-1 drugs and health equity is an emerging public health issue:
In the U.S., most insurance covers GLP-1 for diabetes, but few cover it for obesity alone.
In the UK, NHS restricts Tirzepatide to those with BMI ≥40 (or ≥37.5 for ethnic minorities), limiting access for broader use.
Wealthier patients often bypass restrictions through private clinics, exacerbating inequities in obesity care.
Tirzepatide Side Effects & Other Risks
GLP-1s are not miracle drugs. Common and serious Tirzepatide side effects and semaglutide-related risks include:
Nausea, bloating, and diarrhea
Risk of pancreatitis or gallbladder issues
Potential for thyroid tumors
Sagging skin post-weight loss, often leading to cosmetic surgeries
Roughly 1 in 10 patients discontinue due to intolerable side effects.
More Than Weight Loss: Long-Term Benefits
GLP-1 drugs have broader applications in preventive medicine:
Reduce cardiovascular risks in diabetic and obese patients
Lower the risk of dementia and improve cognition
Enhance metabolic health and long-term survival
These benefits may support future inclusion in public health strategies beyond just diabetes care.
What This Means for Indonesia and LMICs
As Indonesia promotes digital and equitable healthcare, the cost and coverage of GLP-1s remain critical. Without universal health system support:
Rural and low-income patients may be excluded
Urban, private clinics dominate GLP-1 access
Ethical challenges arise for doctors balancing demand with clinical necessity
Final Takeaway: A Double-Edged Breakthrough
GLP-1 drugs for type 2 diabetes and obesity are clinically revolutionary. But their rising popularity as lifestyle aids threatens to shift focus away from evidence-based use. The challenge lies in creating fair, accessible, and ethical guidelines that serve both medical needs and health system sustainability.
Keywords:
GLP-1 injections for diabetes, Ozempic for weight loss, Mounjaro side effects, anti-obesity drugs, GLP-1 drugs and health equity, semaglutide for obesity, tirzepatide benefits, GLP-1 for type 2 diabetes, diabetes treatment 2025, weight loss drugs controversy
Source:
Al-Mahzoum, K., Abdelaziz, D. H., Alenezi, F., Almutairi, J., Alsubaiei, M. K., Alharbi, A. B., Al-Rawi,S., Al-Rawi, S., Bousheheri, F. F., Alhajri, A. H., Alajmi, S. N., Sallam, M., Mansour, N. O.,Alnazly, E. K., & Sallam, M. (2025). Health Beliefs and Obesity Bias as Determinants of Attitudes Toward the Rising Tides of GLP-1 Medications: Mounjaro and Ozempic. Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy, 18, 1389–1409. https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S518994
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