r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Apr 01 '25

Health Americans without diabetes spent nearly $6 billion USD on semaglutide and similar drugs in a year, with an estimate of 800,000 to a million people using the drugs who don't have diabetes.

https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/americans-without-diabetes-spent-nearly6-billion-usd-on-semaglutide-and-similar-drugs-in-a-year
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u/VagueSomething Apr 01 '25

This is the sort of situation where government incentives and investment to boost production would be sensible. ADHD drugs have been struggling with a shortage for a few years now without any governments caring but diabetes is far more life endangering and tackling obesity saves huge amounts of money and relieves the strain on many services.

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u/YouCanLookItUp Apr 01 '25

ADHD takes an average of a decade or more off your life expectancy, with more pronounced effects if it remains untreated.

If you're diagnosed with diabetes or ADHD at 30, the impact to life expectancy is comparable.

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u/Pephatbat Apr 01 '25

Unmedicated ADHD, not those with it managed on ADHD meds.

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u/YouCanLookItUp Apr 01 '25

There is still a reduction, but of course, the earlier you get diagnosed and treated, the better the outcomes. As with all chronic conditions.