clock: Costco to launch weight loss products
The newest weight loss drugs on the market are facing supply shortages, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Some doses of Zepbound are in limited supply through the end of April. The FDA explains: The company’s website states “increasing demand.”
Currently, the 5 mg and 12.5 mg doses of the drug have “limited availability.”
In November, the FDA approved Zepbound as a weight loss management treatment for people who are obese or overweight with at least one associated underlying medical condition, such as high blood pressure.
As a diabetes drug, Zepbound is sold under the trade name Mounjaro. This is because the two drugs contain the same active ingredient, tirzepatide.
Munjaro is approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes, but some doctors prescribe the drug “off-label” for weight loss purposes, which is approved by the FDA. The magazine also said that availability in a few doses will be restricted until April. FDA websitealso cited “increased demand” as the reason for the shortage.
Munjaro and Zepbound are both manufactured by Eli Lilly, which told ABC News in a statement Thursday that it is working to increase supply of the drugs amid an “unprecedented surge in demand.” He said there was.
“We recognize that this situation has the potential to cause disruption to people’s treatment plans, and we are approaching this issue with purpose and urgency. As a pharmaceutical company, we are committed to helping people “We value our commitment, knowing that people trust us to help them achieve and maintain their health goals. We take our responsibility very seriously,” a Lilly spokesperson said. a representative said in a statement. “While we expect supply to be intermittent in the short term due to unprecedented demand, we expect production at Mounjaro and Zepbound to gradually increase through the second half of 2024 due to investments in manufacturing and supply capacity. Find the latest information on the availability of these drugs listed in the FDA Drug Shortage Database.
The spokesperson continued: “Given the dynamics of local and regional supply chains, patients who are struggling to obtain their medication at one pharmacy may choose to return to their pharmacy at a later date or visit a pharmacy in their area. You may want to explore other pharmacies. Or, if someone continues to have difficulty obtaining their medication, they can contact a health care provider who can help with a treatment plan.”
Eli Lilly CEO David Rix told Bloomberg in August that the shortage was due to the complexity of manufacturing the drug’s prefilled injection pens, which he called the industry’s “most complex.” He explained that it is part of the production system. planet,” According to Bloomberg.
Another popular weight loss drug, Wegoby, is also limited in availability in several doses due to “increased demand.” According to the FDA.
Read more: FDA approves Mounjaro’s active ingredient Zepbound to help obese patients lose weight
Wegovy, like Zepbound, is FDA approved for weight loss. Its main ingredient is semaglutide, which is also found in Ozempic. Ozempic is approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes, but it is also prescribed “off-label” for weight loss.
Ozempic, which like Wegoby is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, is now available in all doses, according to the FDA.
A company spokesperson told ABC News in a statement that the company is working to “more than double” the amount of low-dose Wigovy available to patients in the United States.
“Novo Nordisk has made significant investments and steadily increased its capacity to produce more Wigoby than ever before. From January 2024 onwards, we will more than double the amount of low-dose strength Wigoby. “The U.S. market will gradually increase overall supply through the remainder of this year,” the spokesperson said. “We continue to closely monitor market and prescribing trends and continue to manage shipments as best as possible to support continuity of patient care. However, we recognize that overall demand continues to outstrip supply. Patients may still have difficulty filling prescriptions for Wegovy.”
The spokesperson added, “We are confident that these actions will help even more people living with obesity in the United States, beyond the 1 million people we have served to date. We look forward to continuing to partner with them in our long-term commitment to raising awareness and advocating for change in obesity.” Understood, diagnosed and treated. ”
Drugs such as Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound all work by slowing the movement of food through the stomach and suppressing appetite, which can lead to weight loss.
Read more: Costco, Ozempic, Wegovy and more start weight loss programs
Side effects of the drug include severe nausea and constipation.
The drug’s popularity has grown over the past two years, leading to intermittent shortages as manufacturers try to meet demand.
