This episode opens the year with one of the most consequential—and complicated—weeks in GLP-1 obesity medicine.

We break down three stories that, taken together, reveal why patients are increasingly reading past headlines and demanding accountability from the industry.

First, we examine early-phase trial data from Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, after headlines claimed its experimental INHBE-targeting therapy “nearly doubled” the weight loss of Zepbound. We walk through what the data actually showed, why the comparison was misleading, how trial design and dosing matter, and why Phase 1 results should never be treated as superiority claims.

Next, we turn to a major access milestone: the official launch of oral Wegovy, the first FDA-approved GLP-1 pill for obesity from Novo Nordisk. We discuss how this pill differs from compounded oral semaglutide, why its pricing strategy is so disruptive, and what this launch means for people who have avoided injectable medications. We also explore how direct-to-consumer access, telehealth partnerships, and retail pharmacy distribution signal a broader shift in how obesity care is being delivered.

Finally, we address the most ironic—and uncomfortable—story of the week: manufacturing quality concerns involving branded Wegovy pens, reported to include biological particulate matter, at the same time Novo Nordisk continues a years-long public and legal campaign against compounded GLP-1 medications on safety grounds. We discuss FDA inspection history, the acquisition of Catalent, and why credibility depends on consistency—especially when millions of patients are paying close attention.

This episode isn’t anti-pharma or pharma-friendly. It’s patient-first.
And it asks a simple question: Who do we trust when science, marketing, access, and manufacturing all collide at once?

Episode Timestamps

00:00 — Why this first episode of 2026 matters
02:10 — Hair found in Wegovy pens and why patients notice hypocrisy
06:15 — Arrowhead trial headlines vs. what the data actually shows
11:40 — Why tirzepatide dosing and trial design matter
17:30 — What INHBE targeting may actually be good for (and what it’s not)
21:45 — Sponsor: SHED and access pathways for obesity care
25:10 — Oral Wegovy officially launches: what’s different this time
30:20 — How the Wegovy pill works and why bioavailability matters
35:40 — Pricing, telehealth, Costco, and direct-to-consumer access
41:50 — Why pills lower barriers for millions of patients
46:10 — Manufacturing quality, Catalent, and FDA citations
52:30 — Why safety arguments against compounding are being scrutinized
58:40 — Zooming out: access, accountability, and patient trust
1:02:00 — Final thoughts and what to watch next

Topics Covered

• GLP-1 trial hype vs. real-world context
• Phase 1 data limitations and headline inflation
• Tirzepatide dosing and misleading comparisons
• Oral Wegovy vs. compounded oral semaglutide
• GLP-1 pill pricing and insurance implications
• Direct-to-consumer pharma and telehealth disruption
• Manufacturing quality and FDA oversight
• Compounding pharmacies and healthcare system resilience
• Patient trust, transparency, and credibility in obesity medicine

Useful Links & Resources

• On The Pen Links & Advocacy: https://otplinks.com
• Sponsor – SHED (use code OTP25): https://tryshed.com
• FDA Drug Safety & Recalls: https://www.fda.gov/drugs
• Follow On The Pen:
  • YouTube: https://youtube.com/@onthepen
  • Substack: https://onthepen.substack.com

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Patients deserve clarity.
That’s what we’re here for.

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https://www.OTPLinks.com

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Pharma Influence & Why Patient Voices Matter
Lobbying Power: Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Government Access
Why GLP-1 Medication Access Is at Risk
Introducing Sabina Hemi & the Mission of GLP Winner
Why Compounded GLP-1s Matter for Real Patients
The Federal “Safe Drugs” Bill: What It Claims vs What It Does
Why This Bill Raises Red Flags for Patients
What Real Compounding Safety Reform Would Look Like
How Compounding Pharmacies Are Actually Regulated Today
Prescription Reporting vs Patient Safety
Is This Bill About Safety or Litigation Data?
Dose Flexibility, Personalized Medicine, and Compounding
Florida SB 860: A Direct Threat to Compounded GLP-1s
Why Florida Compounding Impacts the Entire Country
Why Obesity Medications Are Being Singled Out
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API): What Patients Should Know
FDA Oversight, the “Green List,” and State Overreach
Why Florida’s API & COA Requirements Don’t Add Up
FDA Inspection Backlogs & Impossible Compliance Standards
Branded Drug Safety Issues vs Compounding Scrutiny
Catalent, Novo Nordisk, and Manufacturing Concerns
Counterfeit Ozempic: The Overlooked Safety Crisis
Why Supply Chain Integrity Should Be the Priority
What Patients Can Do Right Now
Petitions, Advocacy, and Making Your Voice Heard
Florida Residents: Why Local Action Matters
Final Thoughts on Access, Power, and Patient Advocacy

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