Mollie Hughes

Costco's new partnership brings Ozempic to members. But at what cost? The program offers a $179/month plan But the medication itself can cost  An additional $950-$1600/month. This move highlights the rapid mainstream adoption Of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. While Ozempic can lead to significant weight loss... It comes with risks: → Muscle loss  → Potential for rapid weight regain  → Questionable long-term sustainability As an industry… We have a duty to guide our clients to: → Emphasize the importance of lifestyle changes  → Provide holistic, sustainable weight loss solutions  → Teach a balanced approach to health and wellness The Ozempic craze may be tempting. But it's not a magic bullet. We have to lead the conversation of weight management. So let’s talk about it. #boutiquefitness #fitness #fitnessindustry #fitnesstrends #innovation #health #wellness Mohammed Iqbal Matthew Januszek

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Newly published scientific data from Virta Health! tldr: (1) success in both rural and urban settings; (2) successfully off-ramping people from GLP-1s without typical weight rebound; (3) clear dose-response curve (i.e., those who follow Virta lifestyle more fully achieve stronger results faster); (4) improvement in liver markers and function w/o medications! https://lnkd.in/erxTeFn9

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Heading into #NationalInfertilityAwarenessWeek, our round-up is all about the clinics. The latest best list was unveiled, alongside some horrific stories of negligence. The TL:DR? The too-few fertility doctors in the U.S. (only ~1.300) are under strain. The good news is Conceive is here with the support. 📚    1/Newsweek released its 2nd annual list of 125 best U.S. fertility clinics, determined through a survey, CDC metrics, fertility accreditation data, and Google reviews. Weill Cornell took top spot (shout-out to our medical advisor there, Dr. Alexis Melnick!)  https://lnkd.in/eBfEgvTA 2/Study shows correlation between high doses + prolonged duration of gonadotropins during IVF and increased embryonic mosaicism alongside diminished live birth rates, making docs reconsider dosage and duration protocols. 👀 https://lnkd.in/ecjXdpex 3/"PIEZO-ICSI", a new kind of ICSI, looks promising. 💦 https://lnkd.in/eQh7SNj5 4/A Nashville fertility clinic has shut down suddenly, citing financial difficulties and ghosting its patients, leaving their embryos and eggs in limbo. Our hearts break💔  https://lnkd.in/e5PFqmuR 5/In Newport Beach, CA, embryos were accidentally destroyed after they came in contact with hydrogen peroxide while an employee was cleaning. 😱 https://lnkd.in/eUFegTbc 6/Macron’s government is doing what it can to support more people getting access to IVF in a bid to curb declining birth rates. We need to think more like France. 🇫🇷 https://lnkd.in/eU4VJbzv 7/Fertility treatments won't likely cause a relapse of MS, says new analysis. Phew.  https://lnkd.in/eUXyPUFJ 8/Nelly and Ashanti are getting hot in herrr with at-home fertility test company Proov. https://lnkd.in/eWjQTFEA 9/The Dems are trying to repeal it and the GOP is having none of it, but if you want a little history of AZ’s draconian 19th century abortion ban, Vox has it. https://lnkd.in/e_ZyekmA 10/Join us 4/28 at 10:30am in Central Park for a Walk of Hope with RMA of New York to raise money for Resolve. Wear orange! 🧡 https://lnkd.in/euHNYazd 11/We have a must-read newsletter that comes out on Fridays. Sign up here! https://lnkd.in/eZBEYJwA

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Two metrics we’re not ignoring from our Economic Report. As a data driven company, The Confident Clincian’s mission is to make research more accessible for practitioners in integrative medicine. With such a large community, we’re able to provide insights into the health of our practitioners business’s, and help them make decisions based on population data. Aside from a few “don’t worry you’ll make money” pamphlets from ND schools, there isn’t enough published data on what actually happens when people graduate. We’re 2 weeks way from closing the survey and there are two startling statistics to note. 📈Everyone feels they make a big difference in their patients health care. 📉Everyone has considered leaving the profession. We’re not happy about the disconnect between the passion for helping patients and the frustration felt by practitioners and we’re building the solutions for our members for 2025. From our member-only business training to our high level Vista coaching with Sean Robertson, we take care of our members so they can take care of their patients.

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Who you gonna call??? In the event of a family emergency, it's crucial to know who to contact. Consider this scenario from another perspective: If a neighbor or friend had to reach out to someone on your behalf, who would that be? Do they have access to your phone and are they familiar with your family contacts? Perhaps there's a hidden notepad in your home with all the necessary names and phone numbers. Could anyone actually find it if they didn't know where to look? Recently, I've come across alarming incidents where people couldn't locate someone's next of kin during emergencies. For my part, I've designated "ICE" contacts in my cell phone, which stands for "In Case of Emergency." I would also suggest you post a list of emergency contacts on the side of your refrigerator – not openly displayed, yet easily accessible. Stay tuned for more essential tips like this in the upcoming weeks. I have many exciting plans for the future! Stay tuned! www.qrxconsults.com

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Introducing a 5-Part Series on GLP-1 and Peptides: Tools for Health Optimization - Starting Monday 11/18 In the world of health advancements, few topics are as exciting (and sometimes misunderstood) as GLP-1 and peptides. With their potential to aid in weight management, anti-aging, metabolic health, and recovery, these tools are redefining what’s possible in personal wellness. But as with any health tool, the key to success lies in understanding how to use them safely and effectively. Over the next few posts, I’ll be sharing insights into the positive uses of GLP-1 and peptides, breaking down the science, the benefits, and safe practices for incorporating these into a wellness routine. Whether you're looking to shed a few pounds, enhance recovery, or improve metabolic health, there’s something here for everyone interested in living healthier and longer. Stay tuned for: An introduction to GLP-1 and peptides and their roles in health. How GLP-1 can support weight management. Anti-aging and healing benefits of specific peptides. Peptides’ impact on metabolic health and recovery. Essential safety tips for responsible use. Interested in personalized guidance? Reach out to JK Strength & Fitness to learn how our programs can help you leverage these advancements safely and effectively. Let’s unlock the potential of these tools together!

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A huge concern for medical clinics is, "will GLP-1's ever be banned?" Absolutely not, and here's why… The next nine GLP-1's are currently being tested and ready to go. For the last three years, they've been in production, gone through testing, and are just waiting for FDA approval for final studies and release. PE companies, VC companies, and even large publicly traded companies like "Hims" have entered the GLP world, especially the compounding world. It has gone viral, and more people will continue to take it as obesity rates rise. The GLP-1 market, currently around $2 billion, is set to become $100 billion by 2030. GLP-1's are not going away; they are just going to grow and improve. . . . #entrepreneur, #business, #success, #inspiration, #startup, #hustle, #inspiration, #marketing, #leadership, #smallbusiness, #finance, #money, #mindset, #innovation, #growth, #networking, #digitalmarketing, #branding, #creativity, #strategy, #workhard, #perseverance, #clinicowner #healthcareentrepreneur #medicalentrepreneur #medspaowner #medspamarketing #medicalbusiness

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Join host Sam Tejada in this compelling episode of ‘A Healthy Point of View’ as he sits down with Dr. Joseph Purita, a pioneer in functional and regenerative medicine, to discuss groundbreaking methods for health and longevity. Dr. Purita shares his journey from traditional orthopedics to becoming a leading expert in regenerative therapies and the science of cellular health. This conversation covers a fascinating array of topics, from Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and the role of mitochondria in preventing neurodegenerative diseases, to cutting-edge treatments like intermittent hypoxia therapy and extracorporeal blood oxygenation. Throughout, Dr. Purita emphasizes the importance of viewing the body as both hardware and software—highlighting how our cellular pathways and mitochondria play a pivotal role in keeping us youthful and energized. If you’re curious about the future of health, healing, and functional medicine, this episode is a must-watch. Tune in to hear insights from two health visionaries dedicated to reshaping wellness care. PUR-FORM Joe Purita, MD #AHealthyPointOfViewPodcast #AgeManagement #Wellness #FunctionalMedicine #PurForm #DrJosephPurita #Viral #OOTD #Fashion #HealthTok #HealthTips #HealthyTips #IVDrips #Liquivida #SamTejada #Stemcell #VO2Max #DexaScan #Biohack #biohacker #WINNERGY

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The debate around GLP-1s sadly continues to be centered around the astronomical prices. That's missing the mark - the debate should be around the root-causes (i.e., what we're eating and how we're moving) underneath the explosion in metabolic diseases in the US and similar countries. Our system has gotten too used to haggling with pharma over prices vs. preventing (and reversing) lifestyle-driven diseases. A lifetime of meds that should be unnecessary for most, at any price, is a bad outcome. While it's true that these drugs would bankrupt our country if used for everyone with a potential indication, that has as much to do with prevalence as price. Also interesting to see how facts evolve across stories, like a game of telephone. The summary in Axios quoted Novo as saying "75% of its gross sales goes to rebates and discounts", but the CNBC story it references quoted Novo as saying "75% of its gross earnings go to rebates and discounts". Those are two pretty different numbers. 🤷‍♂️ #metabolichealth #obesity #glp1 https://lnkd.in/eKCeEGrd

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Function wants to reimagine healthcare. The preventative diagnostics platform closed a Series A investment led by a16z Bio + Health, bringing its total funding to $53M. Co-founded by functional medicine expert Mark Hyman, MD, the company leverages robust lab testing to improve longevity and healthspan. Taking a proactive approach, twice-annual 100-biomarker panels are reviewed by AI and human clinicians to spot and treat disease. Members can also opt for additional tests as needed. Operating in beta since April, Function Health counts 50K paying customers, a 200K person waitlist, and recently partnered with Equinox. Losing faith in traditional healthcare, more people are seeking preventative scans, alternative medicine, and longevity protocols. Democratizing diagnostics, Function wants to prioritize health over healthcare. 

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The obesity cost challenge is complicated, with many, many factors. So are GLP-1s the silver-bullet for obesity and obesity-related disease? Not exactly... Read from my latest article in MedCity News, "Balancing Weight-loss Medication Cost and Care", for insights into how organizations can better manage their GLP-1 strategy to benefit their people while bringing down health-care costs: https://lnkd.in/ge7daztg

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🚀 Witnessing Eli Lilly's Cialis manufacturing facility was a game-changer for me. The advanced robotics, capable of producing hundreds of tablets per minute without human interaction, left me in awe. Now, as we anticipate the launch of Retatrutide, a groundbreaking treatment for diabetes and obesity, similar feelings of excitement arise. But there's a critical concern for self-funded employers: managing the high costs of such innovative treatments. Balancing access to these treatments and financial stability is no easy feat. 💊💡💼 #HealthcareInnovation #Pharmaceuticals #DiabetesTreatment #SelfFundedEmployers #Retatrutide #EmployeeBenefits #CostManagement #FutureOfMedicine

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Leading US VC General Catalyst just acquired the health system Summa Health for $485 million. Summa Health is a nonprofit #healthcare system with over 30 locations in Ohio (US). This analysis has been made possible thanks to the data platform HealthTech Alpha from Galen Growth | Insights You Can Trust. I wrote down a few thoughts: 1️⃣ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥-𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 The health system Summa Health will be used as a testing field for the wide HealthTech portfolio of General Catalyst. General Catalyst, through its subsidiary HATCo, has committed an additional $550 million over the next five years for strategic investments and innovation. I had a similar case in my network of a PE fund that owned both a health system and a portfolio of HealthTech companies. On paper, this was the perfect match. In reality, it failed. 2️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 "𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦" 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 General Catalyst includes Commure in its portfolio. Over the past several years, Commure has integrated data from various systems, including all major EHRs, to become the interoperable operating system used by many leading hospitals across the U.S. One immediate application will be implementing Scribe (based on Commure), an AI-powered tool for automatic clinical documentation co-developed with HCA Healthcare. 3️⃣ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝟏 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐞 GC invested in Livongo, a telehealth solution for diabetes management, that was acquired by Teladoc for $18 billion (though Teladoc is now valued at only $1.7 billion!). Livongo was the perfect exit before the HealthTech downturn. On the other hand, GC has been a major investor in Olive AI, a BPO and care automation company for hospitals. Despite being valued at over $4 billion in 2021, Olive AI went bankrupt in 2023. Commure is now GC's new bet in care operations, informed by lessons from Olive AI's failure. 4️⃣ 𝐀 𝐕𝐂 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦: 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨? The debate over private investors owning parts of the healthcare system (and potentially prioritizing profits over patient care) is intense (both in the US and Europe). Personally, I am quite excited about this move. And VCs are not PEs: While private equity firms aim to optimize the profitability of an established healthcare asset within five years for a high-multiple resale, venture capitalists focus on increasing the value of their HealthTech portfolio by demonstrating how these solutions bring real-world value. I am not naive though: I know that VCs do not act in the general interest. But we need them to drive innovation in healthcare. #healthcare #healthtech #vc #hospital #transformation

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“We’re small. I’m not worried about (insert very real business risk). The FDA won’t come after us.” ⬆️ I hear this all the time as an objection from prospects While I appreciate the sentiment since certain risks may be worth taking… To ignore risks completely just doesn’t make sense Sure, you may be right about FDA or FTC probably not coming after you But the reason these agencies (who are not fun to deal with) COULD come after you is the same reason you’re exposing yourself to these risks: -marketplace removal (Amazon, anyone?) -competitor NAD challenge or straight up lawsuit -dishonesty disguised as being a scrappy startup -aggressive plaintiff attorneys -reputational damage My experience? It’s much harder and a lot more expensive to retroactively fix things that shouldn’t have been broken to begin with Also, much of this risk taking is tied to how you actually operate your business So when you’re finally “ready”, you may find that your foundational strategy simply won’t work for a maturing business Doing the right thing pays dividends #quality #compliance #marketing #fda #ftc #claims #litigation #risk #cosmetics #beautyindustry #dietarysupplements

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I’m worried about the state of venture capital and direct-to-consumer (DTC) healthcare startups. Hims & Hers is the poster child for DTC healthcare at $1.2B proj 2024 revenue and a $3.6B valuation. By most accounts, they have been an outlier success for DTC since bottoming out in May 2022. So why is this bad news for DTC healthcare? Because the market leader (Hims) trades at a 3x forward revenue multiple. And the category leader typically gets a higher valuation multiple than smaller startups. We see this phenomenon in private equity. They “roll up” smaller companies within the same category at a lower multiples just to create one larger platform that trades at higher multiples. Now back to DTC healthcare startups. If Hims commands a 3x revenue multiple, it’s not unrealistic that smaller, unprofitable startups may be valued 1-2x revenue at exit. At 2x revenue, a startup must generate $500M to produce a $1B exit in today’s market (depending on growth and profitability). Series A/B venture capitalists must see a pathway to $1B outcomes. And if the growth-stage investors with billions under management are less interested in DTC healthcare, the future funding rounds necessary for fueling growth are not guaranteed. Juxtapose this against 2017-2022 where DTC could raise Series B-E funding. Let’s take a DTC startup doing $25M after 3-4 years of operations and has already raised a Series A. By most accounts, it would be a phenomenal accomplishment. But today, investors will question the chances of that same company scaling from $25M to $500M revenue in the next 3-4 years with unknown future funding sources from Series B and beyond. You're stuck in VC-funding purgatory. Some of these companies will shut down. Some may sell for 1-3x revenue. And some may try to transition to profitable, cash-flowing businesses. All of which are certainly not the venture-backed goal the founders, investors, and employees often had in mind when first taking capital. I say this all with friends working at or starting DTC healthcare companies, I feel bad for them. I also feel bad for the patients who enjoy those products or services. To caveat (b/c I know people will object), there will be other DTC brands that exit for $1B+ (i.e., Ro). However, they were forged and scaled during a different time period where seemingly endless venture capital was available for DTC healthcare. Now we're in a different time with no end in sight. Thoughts?

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The Illusion of Cost Savings in Preferred Provider Networks Anyone familiar with preferred provider networks (PPNs) can quickly arrive at one conclusion: they don't lower consumer costs. In fact, there is not a single corporate PPN that has ever been proven to do so. Instead, what PPNs have consistently done is increase corporate profits, aligning with shareholder expectations, but at the expense of consumers by: - Reducing choice ( independent providers retire, leave or shut down ) - Increasing costs - Decreasing access While being part of a PPN might seem advantageous for the preferred providers, it often means relying heavily on a relationship with a single referring party. Over time, this relationship becomes increasingly controlling, allowing less room for operational independence or a focus on consumer or patient satisfaction. From an economic standpoint, PPNs have never demonstrated the ability to deliver cost savings as efficiently as an open, competitive market. When intermediaries, like PPNs, enter a marketplace, profits within the network may initially rise. But, as administrative costs pile on, consumers end up paying more while receiving less service and experiencing diminished access to patient-centred care. The impact of PPNs on competitors is stark: over time, non-network providers, burdened with higher costs and less market access, are forced to shut down. This creates a scenario where the competitive marketplace is eroded, leaving consumers with fewer options and higher prices. Preferred provider networks essentially create an oligopoly where the network administrators benefit, charging fees on top of already high administrative costs, and exerting control over the service providers themselves. In the end, PPNs may win for corporations, but they undermine the principles of fair competition and consumer choice—leaving patients to bear the brunt of higher costs and reduced access to care. Economies are worse when the myths about open and closed PPN’s are believed as unchecked facts. Yet the truth is evident since not one corporate Canadian PPN has decreased cost and improved services and access over a free and competitive marketplace. Ontario Finance | Ontario Finances Sarah Hutchison, MHSc. LL.M. ICD.D Peter Bethlenfalvy Doug Ford

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Deceptive, manipulative, and predatory marketing in the renal care industry isn’t just unethical—it’s dangerous. It thrives on half-truths and false hope, targeting vulnerable patients who deserve transparency and dignity. This kind of marketing traps individuals in a cycle of dependency, hiding viable alternatives like transplantation and prevention behind a veil of profit-driven propaganda. It’s a betrayal of trust, a commodification of suffering, and a stark reminder that, for some corporations, like NxStage Medical, Inc. and Fresenius Medical Care, the bottom line matters more than human lives. At Kidney Watch, we stand to expose this exploitation and amplify the voices of patients demanding better.

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