• Connecticut: David Cordani, who has been Cigna's CEO since 2009, will step down from the position, effective July 1. Succeeding him is Brian Evanko, the company's current president and COO. After stepping down as CEO, Cordani will become executive chair of the company's board of directors. "Brian is an exceptional leader and the right person to guide The Cigna Group into its next chapter," Cordani said. "The status quo in healthcare today is unsustainable. By leading from the front and making meaningful changes, we have delivered sustained impact for customers and strengthened the company strategically, operationally, and financially. Now is the right time to transition leadership to build on our progress and carry our momentum forward." (Kellaher, Wall Street Journal, 3/3; Minemyer, Fierce Healthcare, 3/3)
• Illinois: Walgreens has added a new weight management program to its virtual care platform. The program is available for self-pay patients ages 18 to 64 who are overweight or obese. Through the platform, patients can access video evaluations, medication prescriptions (including for GLP-1s), and other support from licensed physicians and NPs. Each visit will cost $49, and patients can receive follow-up visits through online chats or videos. Currently, the program is available in 28 states and does not require a subscription for access. "Expanding our virtual healthcare platform to include weight management is part of our ongoing commitment to listening to patients and the services they want from their local pharmacy," said Rick Gates, Walgreens' chief pharmacy officer. "By combining trusted clinical expertise with the reach of our digital and pharmacy network, we're helping eligible patients take meaningful steps toward better health, on their own terms." (Jeffries, Becker's Hospital Review, 2/26; Walgreens press release, 2/26)
• Maryland: FDA has sent warning letters to 30 telehealth companies regarding "false or misleading claims" about GLP-1 medications and "illegal" sales of compounded GLP-1s. According to the agency, the telehealth companies implied that the GLP-1 products sold on their websites were the same as "FDA-approved products and [obscured] product sourcing." Although compounded medications are allowed to be marketed widely when branded medications are in shortage, this is no longer the case with GLP-1s. Currently, compounded versions of GLP-1 drugs are only allowed to be personalized for patient-specific prescriptions. "It's a new era. We are paying close attention to misleading claims being made by telehealth and pharma companies across all media platforms — and taking swift action," said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. "Compounded drugs can be important for overcoming shortages or meeting unique patient needs — but compounders should not try to compound drugs in a way that circumvents FDA's approval process." According to FDA, this is the second round of warning letters the agency has sent about compounded GLP-1s since it started cracking down on the drugs. (Choi, The Hill, 3/3)

Stay ahead of the curve with these ready-to-use slides breaking down the biggest trends impacting the obesity care market.  Learn about the state of obesity care today and how to position your organization for future success.