Opinion Serena Williams’ endorsement of weight-loss drug: A win for Big Pharma, a loss for patients

Nobody can make light of Serena’s health challenges, skewed metabolism or genetics as she wrestled with post-partum weight gain. But she has never been seen as morbidly obese or sick, conditions that warrant the use of weight loss drugs in the first place. Her high fitness levels through years of playing a gruelling sport has led to speculation that she has been influenced in her recent decision by the “thin and fit” grammar of an appearance-conscious society, to drop 32 pounds (14 kg). Did she fall prey to the same physical insecurity that another global celebrity Oprah Winfrey had at one time? Oprah had said she felt weight loss drugs were a “gift” and “redemption” from public shame and self-blame.

Assuming Serena had been on the stubborn weight cliff and did not reveal her private battle to the world — she is allowed to make her own informed choices — wouldn’t sharing her experience publicly be enough? Promoting a weight loss injectable from a company where her husband is an investor and board member also reeks of a conflict of interest. Even Oprah stepped down from the board of WeightWatchers, a weight loss platform, before she went public with her declaration that she had taken medication. She further eliminated any financial ties by donating all of the company’s stock to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Serena’s endorsement could further legitimise the use of patient-ambassadors for private healthcare majors. That’s deeply concerning, particularly when the product is not a cough drop but a serious medication for obesity. It potentially opens the floodgates for pharma majors to plug their products with little scrutiny. Serena is not just any patient but a sportsperson, who arguably has a greater impact than the richest Hollywood star or a business magnate. That’s why her easy acquiescence to a corporate sales pitch has come under the scanner that much more severely.

Although the drugs are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), their use should be bespoke and under medical supervision. But the platform Serena is advocating encashes the direct company-to-patient relationship. That’s why the visual of her taking the injectable by herself could normalise its use on a massive scale. Some may even get the idea that this is much like any over-the-counter drug, to be used at will.

We need to look at hard facts before videos of Serena’s transformation flood the digital timeline and influence consumers. It’s early days yet for the weight-loss revolution through GLP-1 drugs and although studies — which are often sponsored by the manufacturers — keep bringing out their various benefits, the jury is still out on their long-term side effects. While stomach paralysis is now well-known to be a side-effect, the fact that these drugs lead to muscle wasting or may lead to pancreatitis could be a deterrent for many with risk factors. For women in their 40s, like Serena, muscle loss slows down metabolism, leading to weight gain.

Time and again, doctors have talked about how the drug’s impact varies from person to person, that it is not a magic pill and needs an intensive diet, exercise and sleep regime to support the weight loss. Without self-discipline and lifestyle management, weight regain is a reality.

Weight loss is a continuous rewiring process. But when someone like Serena claims that the usual methods didn’t quite work for her — most likely because of her own unique body type — it could discourage others from taking that first crucial step needed for sustained results. It sinks them deeper into their lounger, disincentivises individual effort and makes the jab as cool as an ear-piercing. And that’s most uncool.

rinku.ghosh@expressindia.com