A new version of the popular diabetes treatment Mounjaro has been approved as a weight-loss drug.
The US Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly's drug, Zepbound, after it helped dieters lose as much as 30 to 60 pounds in testing.
Similar to its counterpart Ozempic, Zepbound is a weekly injection for chronic weight management.
Mounjaro set off a frenzy of interest in the US among Type 2 diabetes and obesity patients after it was launched last year.
Many users reported losing significant amounts of weight and achieving better control of their blood-glucose levels after being given the injectable drug, which contains the active ingredient tirzepatide.
With the drug's significant benefits widely recognised, there were forecasts that sales next year could approach $5 billion and that it could ultimately become one of the best-selling drugs of all time.
However, supplies in the US have been affected by shortages and price increases, and many patients have had to stop taking the drug.
Enthusiasm on social media, driven largely by celebrities and influencers, also fuelled the shortages. Even high demand for the over-the-counter drug in the UAE resulted in a shortage. Can it deliver on its promise?
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is an injectable drug from American drug company Eli Lilly used chiefly to treat diabetes. It was approved for use in the UAE, the US and Europe last year.
Its active ingredient is an engineered protein that activates receptors for GLP-1, a glucagon-like peptide, and GIP, a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, which are hormones that the intestine secretes when a person consumes glucose or other foods.
They essentially cause more insulin to be released and lower blood sugar levels. GLP-1 is also known to suppress appetite.
Other injectable Type 2 diabetes or anti-obesity medications such as Ozempic, focus on GLP-1 but not GIP, and have not led to such significant weight loss in trials.
“I think tirzepatide is really the next step up from the injectable therapeutics around for the last 10 years,” said Richard Holt, professor in diabetes and endocrinology at the University of Southampton in the UK.
“Tirzepatide … appears to have additional benefits, which means that it’s the drug that leads to the greatest reduction.”
In a clinical trial, the results of which were published last year, Mounjaro resulted in an average loss of 22.5 per cent of body weight at the highest dose after 72 weeks of treatment.
Diabetes and obesity are global health issues. According to the World Health Organisation, diabetes affects 422 million people worldwide while more than a billion people worldwide are obese. Diet, lifestyle changes and proper treatment can all help.
Mounjaro's effects, often greater than those of lifestyle changes, have been likened to having a gastric band placed around the stomach to make the person feel fuller, a procedure known as bariatric surgery.
Typically, any side effects are modest, and may include, according to the drug's producer, nausea, vomiting, constipation, indigestion and stomach (abdominal) pain.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a brand name for a drug that contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which is also sold under the names Wegovy and Rybelsus.
As with Mounjaro, these drugs activate GLP-1 receptors but, unlike Mounjaro, they do not focus on GIP receptors.
Ozempic appears to have less of an effect than Mounjaro, with a 2021 study indicating that it resulted in an average of 16.9 per cent reduction in body weight.
This is nonetheless a substantial effect, enough that after the results of the study were released, one doctor described semaglutide as “the most impactful medication for the treatment of obesity”.
Later in 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Wegovy for weight management in obese adults, or overweight adults who also have high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.
Wegovy is also recommended for children aged 12 years and over who are obese.
In some countries, such as the UK, Ozempic is recommended only for people with Type 2 diabetes.
As with Mounjaro, any side effects with Ozempic are usually mild, including, for example, nausea, vomiting, stomach (abdominal) pain, headaches and dizziness.
What is happening with Mounjaro?
Huge demand for Mounjaro, caused by very cheap introductory prices, some as low as $25 a month, resulted in shortages of the drug in the US.
While the FDA lists all doses of Mounjaro/tirzepatide as being available, the drug is still on the organisation’s shortage list.
Some people have seen the drug’s cost increase to a reported $1,000 a month, making it unaffordable for many whose insurance will not cover the cost.
In the US, its use is approved by the FDA to reduce blood sugar levels only for Type 2 diabetics. It has already been used by many obesity patients and reports indicate that this use of the drug could help to secure FDA approval later this year.
Mounjaro is available from UAE online retailers but it requires a prescription. Shortages have also been reported in the UAE.
“It certainly leads to weight loss, as well as improvements in glucose control. There are potential benefits for people with both conditions [obesity and Type 2 diabetes]. I suspect some people who just have obesity may well benefit,” Prof Holt said.
While Mounjaro is seen as a step forward from previous drugs, Prof Holt said he expected even more effective medications to come on to the market in future.
“What we will find in due course is that there are going to be further dual and even triple agents in development that will take it a step further,” he said.
Foods that help to tackle diabetes - in pictures
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5
Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder / 3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km
Pros%20and%20cons%20of%20BNPL
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPros%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEasy%20to%20use%20and%20require%20less%20rigorous%20credit%20checks%20than%20traditional%20credit%20options%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOffers%20the%20ability%20to%20spread%20the%20cost%20of%20purchases%20over%20time%2C%20often%20interest-free%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EConvenient%20and%20can%20be%20integrated%20directly%20into%20the%20checkout%20process%2C%20useful%20for%20online%20shopping%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHelps%20facilitate%20cash%20flow%20planning%20when%20used%20wisely%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECons%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20ease%20of%20making%20purchases%20can%20lead%20to%20overspending%20and%20accumulation%20of%20debt%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMissing%20payments%20can%20result%20in%20hefty%20fees%20and%2C%20in%20some%20cases%2C%20high%20interest%20rates%20after%20an%20initial%20interest-free%20period%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EFailure%20to%20make%20payments%20can%20impact%20credit%20score%20negatively%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERefunds%20can%20be%20complicated%20and%20delayed%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ECourtesy%3A%20Carol%20Glynn%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
JAPAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
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ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
Have you been targeted?
Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:
1. Your pension fund has been placed inside an offshore insurance wrapper with a hefty upfront commission.
2. The money has been transferred into a structured note. These products have high upfront, recurring commission and should never be in a pension account.
3. You have also been sold investment funds with an upfront initial charge of around 5 per cent. ETFs, for example, have no upfront charges.
4. The adviser charges a 1 per cent charge for managing your assets. They are being paid for doing nothing. They have already claimed massive amounts in hidden upfront commission.
5. Total annual management cost for your pension account is 2 per cent or more, including platform, underlying fund and advice charges.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
