In this week's Pharma Pulse, Cencora agrees to acquire American Oncology Network, five major employers back electronic prior authorization for self-funded health plans and FDA finalizes its guidance on prescription drug apps and software.
Commentary|Podcasts|January 30, 2026
Pharma Pulse: HHS Bypasses PBMs and the Reality of GLP-1 Weight Regain
Author(s)Nicholas Saraceno, Senior Editor
In today’s Pharma Pulse, HHS issues guidance for manufacturer-direct drug discounts, while clinical data warns of significant weight regain after stopping tirzepatide and semaglutide.
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Welcome to Pharma Pulse, a Pharmaceutical Commerce podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and let’s get into today’s headlines.
- First, the HHS has issued
guidance allowing manufacturers to offer lower-cost drugs directly to patients—including those on Medicare. This TrumpRx initiative provides a safe harbor from anti-kickback statutes for cash-pay programs that bypass traditional middlemen such as PBMs. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz emphasize that as long as federal programs aren't billed, these direct-to-consumer discounts are a low-risk path to lowering out-of-pocket costs. - Meanwhile, the longevity of GLP-1 results is under the microscope.
New analysis highlights that weight loss from tirzepatide and semaglutide may be temporary for many. Clinical data shows significant weight regain following discontinuation as hunger hormones like ghrelin and leptin recalibrate. Experts are urging a shift in perspective, treating obesity not as a quick fix, but as a chronic condition requiring long-term metabolic management.
That’s it for this episode of Pharma Pulse. For more insights on trends transforming pharmaceutical access and care delivery, visit
Thanks for listening—until next time, stay well and stay informed.
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