Send us a text This episode opens the year with one of the most consequential—and complicated—weeks in GLP-1 obesity medicine. We break down three stories that, taken together, reveal why patients are increasingly reading past headlines and demanding accountability from the industry. First, we examine early-phase trial data from Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, after headlines claimed its experimental INHBE-targeting therapy “nearly doubled” the weight loss of Zepbound. We walk through what the data actually showed, why the comparison was misleading, how trial design and dosing matter, and why Phase 1 results should never be treated as superiority claims. Next, we turn to a major access milestone: the official launch of oral Wegovy, the first FDA-approved GLP-1 pill for obesity from Novo Nordisk. We discuss how this pill differs from compounded oral semaglutide, why its pricing strategy is so disruptive, and what this launch means for people who have avoided injectable medications. We also explore how direct-to-consumer access, telehealth partnerships, and retail pharmacy distribution signal a broader shift in how obesity care is being delivered. Finally, we address the most ironic—and uncomfortable—story of the week: manufacturing quality concerns involving branded Wegovy pens, reported to include biological particulate matter, at the same time Novo Nordisk continues a years-long public and legal campaign against compounded GLP-1 medications on safety grounds. We discuss FDA inspection history, the acquisition of Catalent, and why credibility depends on consistency—especially when millions of patients are paying close attention. This episode isn’t anti-pharma or pharma-friendly. It’s patient-first. And it asks a simple question: Who do we trust when science, marketing, access, and manufacturing all collide at once? Episode Timestamps 00:00 — Why this first episode of 2026 matters 02:10 — Hair found in Wegovy pens and why patients notice hypocrisy 06:15 — Arrowhead trial headlines vs. what the data actually shows 11:40 — Why tirzepatide dosing and trial design matter 17:30 — What INHBE targeting may actually be good for (and what it’s not) 21:45 — Sponsor: SHED and access pathways for obesity care 25:10 — Oral Wegovy officially launches: what’s different this time 30:20 — How the Wegovy pill works and why bioavailability matters 35:40 — Pricing, telehealth, Costco, and direct-to-consumer access 41:50 — Why pills lower barriers for millions of patients 46:10 — 🤝 Visit Our Sponsors! OTPLinks.com Decoding GLP-1 Book Decoding GLP-1: A Guide for Friends and Family of Those On The Pen Buy Here: https://amzn.to/3Dc66d4 MY WORK RELIES ON YOUR GENEROSITY, WAYS TO SUPPORT: Venmo: OnThePen Ca$h App: ManOnMounjaro BECOME A MEMBER: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDocQ-4IhVS3ihy_dW7nSKw/join 👉 My Amazon Affiliate Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/manonthemounjaroonthepen WATCH MORE! 📺 We're Live M/W/F at 11 central: onthepen.tv 📲 Contact Me: dave@onthepen.com Thank you for tuning in! If you found this content valuable, make sure to like, share, and subscribe to my youtube channel for more updates on GLP-1, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and the latest news on Mounjaro, Zepbound, Wegovy, and Ozempic. Stay informed and entertained with my unique blend of breaking news, humor, and my personal journey. For in-depth articles and resources, visit onthepen.com.
