Costco is now offering its US members access to prescriptions for GLP-1 weight loss drugs through its low-cost health care partner Sesame. The warehouse retailer first partnered with Sesame last fall to offer online health checkups for as low as $29. After noticing customer inquiries about weight loss, Costco and Sesame developed a new program that includes a renewable three-month plan with a video consultation with a weight loss doctor, a GLP-1 or weight loss prescription if appropriate, and ongoing support through unlimited messaging and guidance with a health care provider. Sesame has an available supply of injectable semaglutide, including Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as oral weight-loss medications. The company advertises that patients could lose 5% of their body weight in just three months, 10% in six months, and 15% in a year.
The program costs $179 for three months, but the cost of medication is not included in this price. Without insurance, GLP-1 drugs can cost between $950 and $1,600 per month. Ozempic, Wegovy, and other GLP-1 prescription drugs are popular among wealthier demographics, with US healthcare providers writing over nine million prescriptions for these drugs during the last three months of 2022. JPMorgan researchers estimate that by 2030, around 30 million people may be taking GLP-1 drugs, which would be about 9% of the US population. WeightWatchers has launched a new membership plan that provides access to doctors who can prescribe these medications, and the company has made a significant deal to acquire a telehealth business that can offer virtual prescriptions for these weight loss drugs. Luxury gyms such as Life Time and Equinox are also getting involved in the weight loss industry by acquiring weight loss clinics and designing exercise programs specifically for people taking these medications.
Costco and Sesame collaborated on this weight loss program after noticing that the number one search term of Costco members seeking primary care on Sesame was related to weight loss. The program includes a video consultation with a weight loss doctor or specialist, a prescription for GLP-1 or weight loss medication if appropriate, and ongoing support through unlimited messaging with a health care provider. Sesame offers injectable semaglutide, including Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as oral weight-loss medications. Patients could potentially lose 5% of their body weight in three months, 10% in six months, and 15% in a year. However, the cost of medication is not included in the $179 three-month plan, and Sesame warns that without insurance, GLP-1 drugs can be quite expensive.
The increasing popularity of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss has led to significant growth in the industry. Health care providers in the US have written millions of prescriptions for these drugs, and researchers estimate that by 2030, around 9% of the US population may be taking GLP-1 drugs. Companies like WeightWatchers and luxury gyms like Life Time and Equinox are getting involved by offering access to doctors who can prescribe these medications and designing exercise programs for people taking these drugs. The collaboration between Costco and Sesame on this weight loss program aims to provide affordable access to GLP-1 drugs and support for those looking to lose weight through medical intervention. Overall, the availability of these weight loss medications through various channels suggests a growing demand for effective solutions in the fight against obesity and related health issues.
