Edmund J. Pezalla, MD, MPH, Describes Aetna's Approach to Managing Obesity

Edmund J. Pezalla, MD, MPH, national medical director, Aetna Pharmacy Management, says that Aetna recognizes the implications of the obesity epidemic and how it contributes to a variety of other medical problems such as diabetes and hypertension.

Dr Pezalla suggests that a new generation of FDA-approved medications could help certain patients. Working with drug manufactures, Aetna has developed a personal 3-part weight loss pilot program which includes the promotion of employer-sponsored wellness programs, the development of the mobile health app “CarePass,” and providing patients with access to the preferred tier of their given pharmacy benefit plans.