Comment from Towler Nancy

To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to express my strong opposition to any action that would significantly limit the production, availability, or access to GLP-1 medications such as Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and Liraglutide. For my entire adult life, I have struggled with obesity. Like many people, I have spent years trying to lose weight through dieting, exercise programs, commercial weight-loss plans, and countless attempts to change my habits. While I would sometimes experience temporary success, the weight inevitably returned. The physical and emotional toll of this lifelong struggle has been significant. When I began treatment with Semaglutide in December, 2025, my BMI was over 40, placing me in the category of severe obesity. Prior to starting this medication, nothing I tried provided lasting success. I was frustrated, discouraged, and felt hopeless about the long-term impact my weight would have on my health and quality of life. Since starting Semaglutide, I have lost 34 pounds. More importantly, I have experienced something I have never experienced before: a treatment that effectively addresses the underlying factors contributing to my obesity. For me, the reduction of “food noise” and appetite suppression is nothing short of miraculous. For the first time in my adult life, I have hope that I can achieve and maintain a healthy weight. I currently obtain compounded Semaglutide because it is the only affordable option for me. Cost is a significant factor for me and many others, including those who are retired, living on fixed incomes, or whose insurance does not adequately cover these medications. Without access to compounded Semaglutide, I would not have been able to begin treatment, as the cost would have been a prohibitive factor. Restricting the availability of compounded GLP-1 medications would create substantial barriers for many who are benefiting from these treatments but, like me, cannot afford the brand-name versions. These medications do far more than help people lose weight. They improve health, reduce the risk of serious obesity-related conditions, and give patients an opportunity to regain mobility, confidence, and a better quality of life. For many of us, they represent the first truly effective treatment we have ever had. I am particularly concerned that limiting production or restricting access could make these medications more difficult or more expensive to obtain. Many patients have already faced shortages, high costs, and insurance barriers. Additional restrictions could leave countless individuals without access to treatment that is improving their health and well-being. Obesity is a chronic disease, not a personal failure. Patients who have struggled for decades deserve access to effective medical treatment. While healthy eating and physical activity remain important, many individuals with obesity need medical treatment to successfully manage this chronic condition. My own experience demonstrates that these medications can provide meaningful, measurable benefits when other approaches have failed. I respectfully urge the FDA to carefully consider the experiences of patients like me before implementing policies that would reduce access to GLP-1 medications. The availability of these treatments has given me hope, improved my health, and allowed me to make progress that I have been unable to achieve through years of effort. Any policy decision should take into account the real-world consequences for patients who depend on these medications to manage a chronic disease and improve their health. Thank you for considering my comments and for recognizing the importance of preserving patient access to these life-changing treatments. Respectfully, Nancy Towler Lewiston, Idaho