ECRI says it is time to review new evidence on weight-loss drugs

Editor's Note

On January 10, ECRI released a new report calling on healthcare leaders to change their approach and embrace Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved weight loss drugs.

ECRI says there is a large body of evidence showing that these drugs are beneficial as an adjunct to diet, exercise, and counseling, and they should be considered for first-line treatment in many patients.

ECRI urges stakeholders to follow the FDA’s decisions for approving the use of weight-loss drugs, which can improve population health and decrease downstream costs. Everyone who loses excess weight, improves their health, decreases the likelihood of future medical-surgical issues, and cuts healthcare costs.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 70% of Americans are considered over-weight or obese, and the annual cost of obesity on the US healthcare system is estimated at $173 billion,” ECRI says.