Free Ozempic Program Launches in Louisiana to Combat Obesity—Here’s Who Qualifies

ALEXANDRIA, La. (KPEL News) - A new health program aimed at targeting obesity in central Louisiana will offer free a popular, but expensive, weight loss drug to folks without insurance.

LSU Health Shreveport has launched a new health initiative that will offer a three-month supply of Ozempic to residents in Rapides Parish who qualify. The program, called the Rapides Health Project, will target adult obesity, which is a major health concern in the Bayou State.

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Obesity in Louisiana

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, roughly 25 percent of adults in Louisiana are considered obese. In fact, according to their website, Louisiana was one of three states in 2022 that had an obesity rate as high as 40 percent in adults. The other two states were Oklahoma and West Virginia.

According to KALB in Alexandria, the new program is for uninsured patients, and is free. However, for residents who are insured, the pharmaceutical company partnering with the program will provide the Ozempic for a fraction of the cost, ranging from $150 to $200.

What Is Ozempic?

The medication is a semaglutide, an injectable medicine that helps lower A1C in adults with Type 2 diabetes.

It is also touted for its weight loss potential. The reason? It slows digestion and reduces appetite, making you feel full (for some, even eating the slightest bit can make them feel nauseous.

According to the University of California-Davis, it "works by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone. As those hormone levels rise, the molecules go to your brain, telling it you're full. It also slows digestion by increasing the time it takes for food to leave the body. This is similar to the effect of bariatric surgery."

The Rapides Health Project

Dr. Armand Ntchana was awarded the Family Medicine Cares Resident Service Award in order to start the program in Rapides Parish. Talking with KALB, he explained that the program goes beyond just handing out the shots for weight loss.

“It’s not just about taking the medication and losing the weight,” Ntchana explained. “We also want to teach patients how to maintain the weight loss and just live healthier lifestyles.”

Ozempic is just the first step in the program. The second step is patients working with a dietitian. That professional will help design personalized nutrition programs for each person in the program. The third step is pairing the patient with a personal trainer to create a 12-month fitness plan specifically drawn up for that patient.

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The grant used to fund the program provides enough funding to support about 40 patients this year, KALB reports. If you’re interested, you can visit the LSU Family Medicine Clinic at 301 4th Street in Alexandria or give them a call at (318) 441-1030.