Charles Barkley is Ro’s GLP-1 Celebrity Ambassador
The basketball star has a personal history with the medication and the struggles with access to it.
Charles Barkley via Ro
While most people are probably aware of GLP-1s, like Ozempic, they probably don’t know of all of the ways they can get obtain these drugs. Over the past three years, GLP-1s have grown in popularity, which has caused significant supply chain issues. While companies like Novo Nordisk have taken steps to make the medications more available, many consumers still struggle to access them.
RO is a DTP telehealth company that provides nationwide services. The company offers multiple GLP-1 options and has hired a familiar face to promote them.1
Charles Barkley has signed on as Ro’s celebrity ambassador for GLP-1s. According to a press release, Barkley was inspired to sign on to the position due to his personal experience with GLP-1s. While the medication helped him lose 50 pounds, access issues forced him to temporarily go off the treatment. During this period, he regained most of the weight.
"I know GLP-1s work—I've seen it for myself,” Barkley said in a press release. "The hard part was getting the medication when I needed it. That's where Ro comes in–they make it easy. I don't have to jump through hoops—I know my treatment is handled. Also this isn't just about me, it's about making sure regular folks have real tools to take control of their health and start feeling better. Let's go to work!"
In the same press release, Ro co-founder and CEO Zach Reitano added, “Chuck is honest, inspiring, and deeply relatable—he understands the power of GLP-1s, and needed a partner to help him stay on track with treatment. Restarting your weight loss journey after a setback takes courage. Chuck's story is a reminder that weight loss isn't always linear, but with the right support, it's possible to overcome any setbacks to achieve your health goals. We're honored he's trusting Ro to support him on this next chapter."
Ro recently announced an agreement with NovoCare Pharmacy to provide its users with the ability to access all doses of Wegovy entirely within its own app.2
In a press release, Reitano said, “Fighting for patients means making it as easy and affordable as possible to access high-quality treatment, and that's exactly what integrating with NovoCare® Pharmacy offers patients. Adding Novo Nordisk's FDA-approved treatments at the best available cash price will help more patients nationwide get the obesity care they need to achieve their goals, particularly those without insurance coverage."
In December of last year, Ro announced an agreement with Lilly to provide Zepbound single-dose vials through Lilly’s pharmacy channel.3
In a press release issued at the time, Patrik Jonsson, executive vice president, and president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health and Lilly USA, said, “Offering Zepbound single-dose vials—the most affordable branded incretin medicine by list price—through another platform to LillyDirect® will help ensure broader availability of rigorously tested, FDA-approved and regulated obesity treatment. Our goal is to break down barriers and provide patients with safe and effective options they can rely on."
In the same press release, Reitano added, “Lilly's release of Zepbound single-dose vials at a lower, self-pay-only price was groundbreaking and reflects the patient-centric model upon which Ro was founded. This integration further streamlines access to the only approved dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist without patients ever having to leave the Ro app, let alone leave their home. We look forward to continuing to fight for patients."
Sources
- Charles Barkley partners with Ro as GLP-1 celebrity ambadassador. Ro. April 29, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/charles-barkley-partners-with-ro-as-glp-1-celebrity-ambassador-302441276.html
- Ro integrates with Novocare pharmacy to provide seamless access to Wegovy at the lowest cash price. Ro. April 29, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ro-integrates-with-novocare-pharmacy-to-provide-seamless-access-to-wegovy-at-the-lowest-cash-price-302441159.html
- Ro works with Lilly to streamline patient access to authentic Zepbound single-dose vials by integrating with Lilly’s pharmacy channel. Ro. December 11, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ro-works-with-lilly-to-streamline-patient-access-to-authentic-zepbound-single-dose-vials-by-integrating-with-lillys-pharmacy-channel-302328012.html
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