Unmasking The Great Ozempic Scam. The GLP-1 saga epitomizes the unsustainable corruption within our medical system. By A Midwestern Doctor (12/28/25). This is an abridged version of a longer article.

• Abridged version (this article): midwesterndoctor.com/p/…

• Full version: midwesterndoctor.com/p/…

With the Trump administration encouraging GLP-1* agonist Ozempic (semaglutide) and its relative Wegovy as a solution to America’s obesity epidemic, we thought this article by A Midwestern Doctor (AMD) was an appropriate counterbalance for anyone considering Ozempic or related weight-loss drugs.

ED NOTE
* GLP-1 stands for Glucagon-like peptide-1, a gastrointestinal peptide hormone involved in glucose homeostasis. GLP-1 agonists, originally used to treat diabetes, can inhibit glucagon release and increase insulin secretion. Source: Internet research summaries.

Rybelsus is another semaglutide GLP-1 agonist available in pill form vs. the injected Ozempic and Wegovy drugs.

AMD addresses controversy about Ozempic and its relatives and explores common causes of obesity, including those rarely discussed.

Story At A Glance (edited for brevity):

• In early 2023, a private conference with pharmaceutical industry leaders and investors highlighted anti-obesity and Alzheimer’s drugs as the next big money-makers. FDA head Dr. Robert M. Califf was a keynote speaker along with others in banking and pharma.

• FDA has since promoted semaglutide drugs, particularly Ozempic, an anti-obesity medication originally used to treat diabetes.

• Massive push exists to get everyone, including children, on Ozempic, using aggressive marketing tactics.

• Rush to semaglutide resembles fen-phen craze, a temporary weight loss drug later pulled for causing severe heart and lung issues.

• Ozempic and other semaglutide drugs come with serious side effects, including paralyzing the digestive tract (and thyroid C-Cell tumors).

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Contents

• Pharmaceutical Sales

• The Rise of Ozempic (semaglutide)

• The Rise and Fall of Fen-Phen

• The Risks and Benefits of Ozempic

• What Causes Obesity

• Home Cooking

• Conclusion

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Summary (Grok ai, edited; images from article)

AMD critiques promotion of GLP-1 agonist drugs such as Ozempic, drawing parallels to the fen-phen scandal, and highlights pharmaceutical industry influences, FDA actions, marketing tactics, side effects, and underlying causes of obesity in America.

Pharmaceutical Sales

GSK presentation about Advair (an asthma drug) to sales reps exemplifies industry sales focus.

2023 JP Morgan healthcare conference promoted GLP-1 drugs' profitability.

• Projections: $100 billion anti-obesity market by 2030.

• FDA head Robert Califf was keynote speaker.

• FDA approved Alzheimer’s drug just before conference without advisory committee.

• Conference attendees reacted enthusiastically to GLP-1 profitability.

Rise of Ozempic (semaglutide)

Post-conference, Ozempic was aggressively marketed with FDA support.

Targeted demographics:

• African Americans via NAACP lobbying.

• Children: FDA approved for ages 12+; American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines endorse these drugs.

• Elderly: Lobbying for Medicare coverage, potentially costing billions annually.

Medicare was prohibited from covering weight loss drugs since 2003, but pharma industry and senators such as Bill Cassidy have been lobbying to overturn this (cost if allowed: Estimated $3.1 to $6 billion annually).

Rise and Fall of Fen-Phen

• Phentermine (1959) and fenfluramine (1973) combined into Fen-Phen in a 1979 study.

• Fen-Phen became a popular weight loss drug in 1990s.

• Led to pill mills and surge in demand.

• Linked to heart valve damage and pulmonary hypertension.

• Withdrawn from market; billions in settlements.

• FDA official admitted safety not verified.

• Fen-Phen parallels to Ozempic include aggressive marketing, off-label use, and profit focus.

Risks and Benefits of Ozempic

• AMD Colleagues: GLP-1s helpful for diabetes but caused GI complications.

• Higher doses for weight loss cause cachexia (wasting syndrome), "Ozempic Face," eating disorders.

• Trials and studies show weight regain in adults and children after withdrawal.

American Diets

Most American food derives from subsidized crops including corn, wheat, soy, and canola; these are turned into processed foods.

• Processed foods and seed oils contribute to health issues such as diabetes and obesity.

• Our bodies resist these foods naturally, so manufacturers include addictive additives. (Big Tobacco's acquisition of food industry in 1980s focused on addictiveness.)

• Resulting illnesses create pharmaceutical customers.

• Health activists advocate for natural foods and subsidy changes.

• Recent media shifts highlight processed food concerns about seed oils and dyes.

• A solution: Home cooking.

  For those avoiding home cooking (due to a lack of time or food preparation knowledge) AMD suggests: Use slow cookers or Instant Pots.

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Related:

• Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Announces Major Developments in Bringing Most-Favored-Nation Pricing to American Patients (11/06/25): tinyurl.com/48vdrvbk

• Ozempic FDA Package Insert (injected): tinyurl.com/6myyjjuu

• Wegovy FDA Package Insert (injected): tinyurl.com/39ejezt5

• Rybelsus FDA Package Insert (pill form): tinyurl.com/5y2kdpdt

• FDA Guidance on Semaglutide Tablets (10/25): tinyurl.com/ftzhpvhn