A surge in popularity for drugs like Ozempic, partly due to its weight loss benefits, is fueling record-high prescription drug shortages. This has led to heated debates on social media platforms, pitting diabetes patients against those seeking weight management solutions.
For many patients, these medications have been life-changing, or even lifesaving. Getting their hands on them, however, can be another experience entirely.The sudden surge in popularity of drugs like Ozempic , driven in part by its weight loss benefits, is contributing to a record-high number of prescription drug shortages and sparking tense exchanges on TikTok.
Shortages have left many patients struggling to obtain the treatment they need to effectively manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. When the shortages reached her pharmacy, Largent-Phillips’ doctor attempted to prescribe Wegovy, another hormone-based medication, instead. Her insurance company denied the request, however, as Wegovy is primarily approved for weight loss rather than diabetes management.
"We had to space out my shots. Instead of every seven days, we were doing them every 10 to 13 days," she said. Her difficulty obtaining critical medications extended beyond diabetes drugs. She struggled to get access to a crucial chemotherapy drug for her condition for five months. Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company behind Ozempic and Wegovy, has faced scrutiny over the high prices of these medications in the U.S.. He argued that a high list price is more likely to lead to greater patient access, as it allows for larger rebates to pharmacy benefit managers -- intermediaries that negotiate drug prices between manufacturers and insurers, significantly influencing drug costs and access.
Ren-Fielding and her team often ask visiting pharmaceutical sales representatives what is being done about the shortage. “We never had to make as many phone calls. We never had to write as many additional prescriptions as we've had for this month,” he said. “The one that never ends.” Wiznitzer noted that, several decades ago, ADHD was often dismissed as not a real disorder, and was primarily viewed as a childhood condition.
Patients often bear the burden of locating pharmacies with stock. For ADHD patients this can be especially fraught due to pharmacy concerns about drug-seeking behavior. Some patients resort to costly brand-name prescriptions not covered by insurance, or rationing medication to ensure they have it when they most need it.
Untreated ADHD can have an impact on a patient’s performance and behavior at school, and behavior disruptions can have a harmful effect on the family unit, Wiznitzer added. Wiznitzer believes this policy change will help address the problem by allowing for more flexibility in the case of rising demand.
Drug Shortages Ozempic Weight Loss Diabetes ADHD Medications
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