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On today's episode, we discuss Gen Zers and healthcare: what the beginning of their journey looks like, social media as an entry point, and what they want from their experience. "In Other News," we talk about Amazon expanding its Amazon Clinic telehealth services to include video visits and how connected fitness is getting on post-pandemic. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Rajiv Leventhal and Lisa Phillips.

Unprecedented patient demand for GLP-1 weight loss drugs spearheaded a secondary market of telehealth companies, medical spas, and others to sell compounded versions. Copycat GLP-1s are typically available for less than $200/month—far cheaper than the $1,000/month or more that Ozempic and Wegovy cost without insurance.

They plan to introduce legislation that will require telehealth companies to comply with the same advertising regulations as pharma manufacturers. This sentiment has been echoed by associations such as The Partnership for Safe Medicines and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Both groups believe that Hims’ ad violates FDA rules. TV critics say the ad’s messaging was unclear.

Consumers are turning to digital channels for medical information and advice and to research healthcare products, treatments, and services. Here’s what healthcare and pharma marketers need to know about converting information-seeking consumers into customers.

The news: Novo Nordisk is terminating its short-lived partnership with Hims & Hers. The drugmaker is accusing Hims of illegally selling knockoff versions of Wegovy, while deceptively marketing its compounded GLP-1 products. Our take: Hims will likely regret its refusal to cooperate with Novo and Eli Lilly, who have taken control of the D2C weight loss drug market.

The news: Digital health startup Virta Health is guaranteeing that its employer and health plan customers won’t increase spending on GLP-1 drugs for their members. Our take: Virta’s financial guarantee will likely catch the attention of employers and insurers, but it could quickly backfire from a financial perspective if it’s unable to curb GLP-1 prescription volume.

And essentially on these websites you can go on, and this doesn't apply to all of the company medications, but some of them, so you can go on and click a button that says, "I want to talk to a telehealth provider that's affiliated with the pharmaceutical company." You get an appointment with a telehealth provider within minutes or hours.

Additionally, there is mounting concern among doctors who view the “non-traditional" (e.g., D2C companies, telehealth platforms) weight loss drug market as problematic, according to a December 2024 Sermo survey.

And 31% are open to using AI for virtual health assistance. Yes, but: 88% of consumers express concerns about the growing use of AI in healthcare settings, with 58% specifically worried about the lack of human oversight.

Despite the policy, influencers still post about their experiences with certain medications and include links to telehealth clinics where consumers can get prescriptions. Due to the volume of content on its platform, tracking which health influencer posts are properly labeled as sponsored is a major challenge for TikTok.

It recently expanded its D2C telehealth service to offer cash-pay chat consultations or video visits for common health issues. The retailer hopes to offset financial losses from its failed primary care and health clinic endeavors by getting telehealth patients to fill prescriptions at Walgreens pharmacies.

For example, they acknowledge that telehealth has made it much easier to receive care. Two-thirds of patients have used some form of telehealth in the last two years. And we project that over 90 million US adults will use telehealth this year.

It consolidated Amazon Clinic into One Medical and expanded its telehealth business to include fixed pricing. Amazon Clinic, a D2C telehealth venture, is now called Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit.

Talkspace posts its first full year of profitability: But it’s not all rosy. It’s catching heat for sending teens’ data to social media platforms. Talkspace must be sure not to spoil its prosperity by damaging its reputation.

Telehealth companies such as Hims & Hers, Ro, and Noom increasingly rely on compounded GLP-1s to drive sales. Some could sell branded GLP-1s when shortages end, but their competitive advantage from offering lower-priced compounded drugs would be gone. Allowing compounded GLP-1s to remain on the market would force drugmakers to embrace new sales strategies.