Mariana Romero Roy
For those looking for a miracle medicine to fix obesity, the closest equivalent we’ve ever had is finally here in the form of GLP-1 agonists. These relatively new medications were originally intended to manage blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes by prompting the body to make more insulin to lower blood sugar. But some GLP-1s have been shown to be quite effective for helping people lose weight, as well. [1]
GLP-1s typically come in an injectable form that the patient self-administers. The most popular GLP-1s are taken once a week, but some must be taken once or twice a day. Some newer forms of GLP-1s come in a pill form that you take once a day. [2]
The medications are approved for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or those with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have other weight-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, or other complications. GLP-1s are only available by prescription, so patients will need to talk to their health care provider to determine if they are a good candidate for the medications. [3]
GLP-1s in Latin America
Already popular in the United States and other countries around the world, their use has also surged in Latin America in recent years. Here’s a quick look at the numbers across the region:
Opportunities & Challenges
Naturally, the dramatic increase in GLP-1 use in the Latin American market will be a major contributor to the bottom line for the manufacturers and suppliers of the medications. But the ability of GLP-1s to help patients manage their weight and diabetes symptoms is so significant that it will result in a ripple effect across many aspects of Latin American healthcare in the years to come.
In short, the benefits of GLP-1 use for patients appear to extend far beyond reducing weight and lowering blood sugar levels. Many patients also experience lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduced risks of heart disease and kidney disease, and many other benefits. Researchers are discovering other potential benefits of GLP-1 medications all the time. [1]
Some of these developments will be positive, while others are negative for manufacturers and suppliers of various types of medical equipment and supplies. For example, the number of gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy procedures may decline in Latin America as more patients effectively lose weight with GLP-1s. Research is already showing this to be the case, with one study finding a 25.6% decrease in bariatric surgeries in the U.S. in 2023, largely due to the increase in GLP-1 use. For the companies that make the equipment used in these procedures, such as surgical staplers, trocars or even robotic surgery systems, this could potentially lead to a downturn in their projections for the coming years. [8]
A similar story may play out in the respiratory and sleep care device market, as well. As rates of obesity decline, it may lead to a decrease in obstructive sleep apnea and related respiratory issues. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved a GLP-1 known as tirzepatide (Zepbound) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. These developments could make it difficult to forecast future projections for CPAP machines, ventilators, and related sleep apnea diagnostic equipment. [9]
Positive Outcomes
Despite these challenges, the potential outcomes are, of course, a net positive for the health and well-being of Latin Americans. This will lead to its own new opportunities, as well. For example, there may be an increase in the need for endoscopies, ultrasounds, and related diagnostic equipment to monitor and diagnose some of the side effects that result from GLP-1 use, including delayed gastric emptying and gallbladder issues. [10]
In addition, a new pool of candidates may become eligible for needed medical procedures that they were previously ineligible for due to obesity. This includes surgeries such as knee or hip replacements, hernia repairs, and more. This growing pool of patients could drive sales for orthopedic implants, surgical power tools, post-operative rehabilitation equipment, and more. [11]
Key Takeaways for Health Care Companies
As you can see, the dramatic impacts of GLP-1s on the Latin American healthcare landscape will extend far beyond increased medication use, weight loss, and better diabetes management. The potential positive impact on health may have a cascading effect that touches a wide range of different medical conditions, operations, equipment use, and more.
Medtech reps can stay agile with their forecasts and sales strategies by using SurgiScope for real-time data while tracking these shifting procedure volumes. They can also identify which hospitals are experiencing spikes in orthopedic procedures.
HospiScope is also valuable in providing hard, localized data on the specific hospitals that have equipment needs. This is a much more valuable tool for crafting real-time forecasts and sales strategies than relying on historical assumptions for adjusting sales targets.
Next Steps
Contact GHI to learn more about the rise of GLP-1s across Latin America, and how you can adjust your company’s strategy to meet the changing healthcare landscape that will result. Our team of researchers can provide the analysis you need to gain valuable insights to support strategic decision-making in your industry.
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Sources:
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- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/13901-glp-1-agonists
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/expert-answers/byetta/faq-20057955
- https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/glp-1-medications-for-weight-loss-how-to-get-started
- https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/glp-1-receptor-agonist-market/latin-america
- https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/glp-1-receptor-agonist-market/argentina
- https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/glp-1-receptor-agonist-market/brazil
- https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/glp-1-receptor-agonist-market/mexico
- https://www.statnews.com/2024/10/25/bariatric-surgery-falls-as-glp-1-demand-rises-wegovy-zepbound/
- https://www.komodohealth.com/perspectives/fda-glp-1-approval-may-reduce-reliance-on-cpap/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9821052/
- https://universitysurgical.com/obesity-and-surgery-a-dangerous-combination
