Sesame, a virtual healthcare marketplace, has launched a new weight loss program offering compounded semaglutide, the key ingredient in popular obesity drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic, for $249 a month. This initiative is part of Sesame’s broader effort to provide cost-effective healthcare solutions, particularly as demand for weight loss medications rises. The program includes clinical oversight and additional wellness resources starting in September.
For Costco members, the program includes a live video consultation with a clinician and three months of clinical oversight. Participants can also message their clinician outside scheduled appointments and receive tailored nutritional guidance.
Launched in 2019, New York City-based Sesame connects patients to both in-person and virtual care using a direct-pay model. The marketplace includes primary care doctors, nurse practitioners, and over 40 health specialties. Sesame’s services cater to uninsured consumers and those with high-deductible plans.
Sesame’s new program is positioned as a more affordable alternative to branded drugs, aiming to make effective weight loss solutions accessible to more consumers. David Goldhill, Sesame’s co-founder and CEO, emphasized that the company does not profit from the sale of medications, stating, “Sesame has proven over five years that Americans do not have to sacrifice quality, convenience, or access just to get an affordable price for their care. That’s why there’s no retail markup on compounded semaglutide sold through Sesame. Sesame is not a drug company, and we don’t profit from selling one medication over another.”
The program’s structure reflects the company’s commitment to affordability and patient-centric care, offering a comprehensive and ethical approach to weight loss management.
Sesame will make compounded semaglutide available in accordance with FDA guidelines, particularly during ongoing supply shortages of branded GLP-1 medications. As supplies stabilize, Sesame plans to transition patients to the most appropriate medications, with support for insurance prior authorization as needed.
A recent KFF Health poll found that nearly half of people are interested in weight loss drugs, underscoring the growing demand. With 42% of U.S. adults classified as obese, the obesity drug market is expected to reach $105 billion by 2030.
