The beautiful island paradise of Bermuda may not seem like a place where health crises loom, but its population is facing a dangerous and growing problem: diabetes and obesity. I see the introduction of tirzepatide, a ground-breaking, weight-loss drug being explored by the National Health Service in Britain as a beacon of hope for Bermudians and with the potential to revolutionise how these conditions are managed worldwide.

I am not a licensed medical professional, but the clinical research on tirzepatide is encouraging. In an 18-month trial involving 938 overweight or obese adults, those receiving the highest dose of tirzepatide lost an average of 15.7 per cent of their body weight, which equated to about 15.87kg (35lb), while participants on the placebo lost only 2.3kg (7lb), despite both groups following the same diet and exercise advice. Tirzepatide mimics the hormones GLP-1 and GIP, giving users a feeling of fullness and reducing their overall caloric intake. Its once-a-week injection and dual action on GLP-1 and GIP hormones make it a promising solution for weight management in both type 2 diabetes patients and individuals struggling with obesity.

Although other weight-management medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy have been on the market earlier and are available for weight management, tirzepatide appears to be head and shoulders above the rest owing to its dual action of activating both GIP and GLP-1 hormones, enhancing its potential efficacy.

Already approved under the brand name Mounjaro to treat type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide is being considered as a weight-loss drug based on the results of key trials. Mounjaro is approved to treat diabetes. The drugs are delivered through once-weekly injections, and users are advised to follow a healthy, reduced-calorie diet and to exercise regularly while using the drugs.

The drug’s high demand, boosted by celebrities such as Elon Musk and Jeremy Clarkson, has catapulted it into the spotlight, challenging the manufacturer Lilly to meet the soaring global demand. However, this high demand could lead to delays in accessibility, particularly for those in Bermuda who could benefit the most.

Knowing that if something is too good to be true, it probably is, the clinical research and approvals by health authorities such as the NHS provide a solid foundation for optimism. The potential benefits of tirzepatide are too significant to ignore, especially considering the health crisis that the Bermuda Government has identified.

According to a joint report by the Department of Health and the Bermuda Health Council, 24 per cent of Bermudian adults are obese and 13 per cent have diabetes. Bermuda’s diabetes prevalence is more than twice the average for countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The island also grapples with the highest amputation rate among women and the second highest for men because of diabetes complications.

Estimates by the Bermuda Health Council indicate that “obesity and diabetes will add over $26 million to our island’s health costs over the next ten years”. This includes only the direct cost of medical care but not indirect costs such as the impact on other conditions, out-of-pocket payments, subsidies, wages and work hours lost. These indirect costs are part of the larger health economic impact, which Bermuda cannot afford.

The arrival of tirzepatide signals hope for Bermuda in its battle against the diabetes and obesity epidemic. However, there may be challenges regarding accessibility and cost, with the drug potentially costing about $1,000 per month. Healthcare professionals, government and communities must come together to ensure that those who need it most can access tirzepatide.

Researchers hypothesise that the increasing incidence of diabetes in Bermuda may be linked to family genotype, lifestyle, lack of exercise, obesity and other environmental factors. If tirzepatide can successfully treat obesity and help to manage type 2 diabetes, it could provide Bermuda with a powerful tool to tackle this growing health crisis.

As the saying goes, “if something is too good to be true, it must be”. But the clinical research and approvals by health authorities such as the NHS provide a solid foundation for optimism. The introduction of tirzepatide could represent a significant turning point in the fight against diabetes and obesity, not just in Bermuda but around the world.

While the high demand for tirzepatide may pose initial challenges in terms of accessibility, its potential benefits are too significant to ignore. For the people of Bermuda, and indeed for all those who struggle with diabetes and obesity, tirzepatide’s arrival offers a glimmer of hope in what has been a long and challenging battle against these conditions.

In the face of a growing diabetes and obesity epidemic, tirzepatide’s promising results could be the catalyst for change that Bermuda desperately needs. It is crucial for healthcare professionals, governments and communities to recognise the potential of this drug and to ensure its availability for those who need it most.

I remain cautiously optimistic about tirzepatide’s potential to transform the lives of those affected by diabetes and obesity. The clinical research speaks volumes and the dire situation in Bermuda warrants exploration of innovative solutions. Tirzepatide may not be a panacea, but it offers a promising start to a brighter, healthier future for Bermuda and beyond.

• Christian Chin-Gurret is a Bermudian writer with a Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and a Bachelor of Science in Product Design, who offers a unique perspective on shaping the future of business through innovation, disruption and technology. He can be reached athttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christianchingurret/

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9268041/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13300-020-00981-0

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4668975/