Commenting on the increase in portrayals of Ozempic and similar GLP-1 medications as a shortcut to weight loss in social media and popular culture, SMU Assistant Professor of Sociology (Education) George Wong said that he is less concerned about Ozempic, or GLP-1 drugs in general, than the systems governing how such drugs are developed, regulated and used. He acknowledged that unrealistic beauty standards can be harmful, but argued that people should be free to pursue their own appearance goals as long as they do not become obsessive or affect their daily functioning. Asst Prof Wong also highlighted that the more important question is whether healthcare institutions, regulators and drugmakers can ensure medications such as GLP-1 remain safe and accessible to those who need them. Ultimately, with demand expected to grow and generic versions likely to become more widely available, Asst Prof Wong said that people do want to use it, and there are many reasons why this can be life-changing for many people. He noted that the goal is to ensure the right kind of education and awareness around its use go alongside what would inevitably be a very popular treatment for many.
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