This foundational discovery later recognized with the 2024 LaskerDeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award for Habener, Mojsov, and Lotte Bjerre Knudsen laid the foundation for an entirely new class of GLP-1 medications.[1] Gut releases natural GLP-1 that is destroyed in the bloodstream within about two minutes by the enzyme DPP-4 that is a widely distributed integral membrane protein that is expressed in the intestine, kidney, vascular endothelium, liver pancreas, glandular epithelial cells, and immune system cells.[17] Hence, DPP-4 inhibitors are a successful class of anti-hyperglycaemic agents used to treat type 2 diabetes (T2DM) via protecting GLP-1
Some researchers report success with single-freeze protocols (reconstituting, aliquoting into single-dose volumes, and freezing once), but this is not standard practice and may affect potency unpredictably
Menopausal women must work closely with their healthcare providers to address both their menopausal symptoms and optimise their GLP-1 treatment plan
However, Thursdays FDA announcement effectively puts an end to that, and compounding pharmacies must now cease producing the lucrative drugs within a set time period
But as research continues to reveal their benefitsespecially for patients at high risk of recurrenceinsurers should weigh long-term health outcomes over short-term costs
For the first time in Medicare's history, weight-loss GLP-1 medications are about to move from cash-pay territory to covered benefit
