STAT+: In debate over obesity medications, FDA shifts toward importance of drugs in subtle ways

For years now, companies behind weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound have been trying to convince the medical community and the public that obesity is a disease and medications are the answer. It seems the Food and Drug Administration has now shifted its perspective, too.

This week, amid a slew of new recommendations that the FDA released ahead of President-elect Trump’s inauguration, the agency posted draft guidance on obesity clinical trials, the first time it has done so since 2007.

The new draft calls obesity “a chronic disease,” whereas the previous guidance called it “a chronic, relapsing health risk.”

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…