President Donald Trump raised eyebrows after labeling Ozempic as a “fat pill” and expressing doubt about its effectiveness for weight loss during a recent Oval Office briefing.
Ozempic was developed and approved to treat type 2 diabetes by regulating insulin and glucose levels. Its appetite suppression has made it a popular off-label weight loss aid, joined by drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro designed specifically for this purpose.
Trump highlighted the high U.S. prices for the medication, comparing them unfavorably to lower costs abroad. While acknowledging that it sometimes helped, he expressed skepticism about visible results among acquaintances.
Health professionals and social media users criticized the comments, warning that Ozempic is a serious medical therapy, not a “fat pill,” and cautioned against trivializing complex health treatments.
Concurrently, the government plans expanded Medicaid and Medicare drug coverage to include weight-loss medications, underscoring their growing role in public health strategies against obesity.
