Podcast Summary: Earn Your Leisure – Ozempic Maker Novo Nordisk Faces Massive Lawsuits Over Causing Blindness – Investors Beware

Date: September 6, 2025
Hosts: Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings
Guest Expert: Unnamed
Episode Focus:
A deep dive into the recent wave of lawsuits facing Novo Nordisk (maker of Ozempic) and Eli Lilly over severe side effects associated with weight loss drugs, the broader context of pharmaceutical risk, and implications for investors.

Episode Overview

This episode explores the ongoing legal crisis facing Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, specifically focused on Ozempic and related weight loss drugs, which have become centers of a giant multidistrict lawsuit. The discussion weaves through the historical cycle of “miracle” weight loss drugs, the dangers of rapid medical solutions, the cultural context of Western medicine, and the potential investment risks and opportunities. As always, the hosts blend business analysis, cultural commentary, and history to give listeners both a financial and a social perspective.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Massive Lawsuit: Context & Details

• Federal Lawsuits & Multi-District Litigation:

  • Over 2,000 lawsuits, with claims already estimated above $2 billion in potential damages.
  • Main allegations: severe side effects from Ozempic and similar drugs, including rare but catastrophic vision problems (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy - NAION).
  • “[Lawsuits allege] stomach paralysis, intestinal blockages, persistent vomiting, GB issues, pancreatitis, kidney damage, and sudden vision loss linked to a condition called NAION.” — Host [06:07]

• Stock Impact:

  • Novo Nordisk’s stock fell dramatically from $142 to $54 within a year.
  • “[The stock] fell off a cliff. Going blind. That's crazy.” — Co-host [06:01]

2. The "Miracle Drug" Cycle: Historical Perspective

• Parable & Historical Analogy:
  • The conversation draws from the movie “Charlie Wilson’s War,” regarding unforeseen consequences of seemingly “good” things — using the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan as a metaphor:

    “What looks like a blessing could be a curse...most good things have some level of negative side effect. Let's see what happens. I had a strong suspicion...that negative trade off would lead to billions of dollars in lawsuits down the line. Lo and behold, one year later, that's exactly what happened.” — Co-host [05:00]

• Pattern of Weight Loss Drugs:
  • History repeats: rapid-result weight loss products “normally has been a disaster.”
  • Reference to previous drugs, like fen-phen, that also crashed due to side effects and litigation.

    “Any company that has a product that is publicly traded that is guaranteed to have you lose weight...this category normally has been a disaster.” — Guest Expert [08:46]

3. Societal & Cultural Critique of Western Medicine

• Attitude Toward Medication:
  • Hosts highlight the Western predisposition to solve problems “out of a bottle,” often ignoring long-term risks and natural alternatives.

    “We have so much medicine [in the West] we don't even think about what's natural. We just think, ‘Yo, I’m just gonna go to CVS and get right,’ until you have these side effects.” — Co-host [07:33]

  • Personal anecdote: guest from Ghana expresses surprise at Americans’ reliance on Advil, offering a passionate case for natural remedies.
• Caution to Listeners:
  • “Be careful to anybody that's taking these drugs because obviously it has a lot of negative side effects.” — Co-host [08:00]

4. Investment Analysis & Long-Term Outlook

• Is Novo Nordisk “Dead” as a Stock?
  • Not declared dead—though certainly in “critical condition.”
  • Cited as an example of the need to study product categories and their history.

    “If you go to look at the history…within seven years there's lawsuits or collapse in the stock tied to weight loss products.” — Guest Expert [09:38]

  • Novo Nordisk lacks the breadth and diversity of Eli Lilly, who is seen as better positioned.
• Unique Risks:
  • Discussion about the origins of GLP-1 drugs (derived from lizard venom), raising skepticism about putting foreign substances in the body for weight loss.

    “You’re putting lizard and snake venom in your body to get the weight of the world off of you. That makes no sense.” — Guest Expert [10:18]

  • The “snake venom” narrative is partially exaggerated, but something to be aware of for context.
  • “This space as a whole is not one that I like to even look to invest in long term.” — Guest Expert [10:29]

5. Broader Industry Context: Comparing Novo and Eli Lilly

• Novo vs. Lilly:
  • Eli Lilly considered more robust due to multiple drug lines and stronger executive leadership.
  • Reference to how stock surges on miracle cures rarely last.

    “They have a bunch of other drugs, world class executive leadership and different moats that Novo does not have.” — Guest Expert [09:08]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I hate to say that I told you so, but I did.” — Co-host [01:58], highlighting their messaged skepticism from a year earlier.
• “You taking medicine to lose weight and then you just can’t see one day.” — Co-host [06:26], crystallizing the shocking consequences.
• “Most good things have some level of negative side effect. Let's see what happens.” — Co-host [05:08]
• “Going back to fin fan [fen-phen] of the 1980s and 1990s, this category normally has been a disaster.” — Guest Expert [09:00]
• “You're putting lizard and snake venom in your body to get the weight of the world off of you.” — Guest Expert [10:18]
• “We have so much medicine that we don’t even think about…how can we do this organically.” — Co-host [07:31]

Important Timestamps

• [01:51]: Opening discussion on lawsuits against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
• [05:00]: Historical analogy: Unexpected consequences and skepticism of hype cycles.
• [06:07]: Full list of alleged serious Ozempic side effects.
• [07:33]: Critique of Western medication culture.
• [09:08]: Historical pattern of weight loss products failing.
• [10:18]: Controversial discussion: origins of GLP-1s and skepticism about the “miracle drug” industry.

Tone & Style Notes

The conversation maintains EYL’s signature blend of candid financial analysis, relatable storytelling, pop-culture wisdom, and sharp cultural critique. The hosts use humor, personal anecdotes, and a touch of skepticism to explore the risks and realities of both consumer health trends and investing in “miracle cure” companies.

Bottom Line for Listeners:
The episode urges caution—to both anyone considering rapid weight loss drugs, and to investors tempted by hype. The hosts remind listeners that history often repeats, short-term miracles carry long-term risks, and skepticism (along with due diligence) saves both money and health in the end.