News 8 On Your Side is investigating a serious drug shortage that is baffling diabetics who need their medication. Investigator Susan Shapiro looked into the shortage and the drug companies’ response. “I need my medication. It’s baffling.” Bob Dorman and his wife, Cheryl, have type 2 diabetes. The Camp Hill couple use Trulicity to control their blood sugar levels. Cheryl is still able to get the 1.5 mg dose of the GLP-1 drug, but Bob has been unable to get the 3 mg version. “We just ordered it last month and it was supposed to be coming and then all of a sudden they said it was cancelled. It’s frustrating because we need it. I can’t believe it,” Bob Dorman said. “I’m so grateful that we have this medication, but it’s so frustrating knowing that my husband won’t have a chance to use it,” Cheryl Dorman said. The Dormans get their medication from Centerwell, an online pharmacy based in Ohio. Brick-and-mortar pharmacies like Camp Hill Pharmacy also don’t have this dose of Trulicity available. “We looked around to see if there were competitors or places that had stock. Then we tried to get patients to get the drugs there,” said pharmacist Smita Malkana. Drug company statement: Trulicity and other diabetes drugs have been in short supply for months. The highly touted drugs are in high demand because many people use them to lose weight. Eli Lilly manufactures Trulicity, Maunjaro and Zepbound. The company said its facilities are running 24/7 and that it is building a new plant. Despite these efforts, the company has found itself in a situation where it has limited supply of these drugs. In a statement to News 8, Eli Lilly said, “We are working with purpose and urgency to meet the growing demand while always prioritizing patient safety and ensuring that quality standards are met.” “Tough Situation” “These drugs are groundbreaking. They just have to be taken,” said Dr. David Bradley, director of the diabetes program at Penn State University Health. He said these drugs need consistency. “These drugs wear off so quickly that if a patient misses even one dose, it’s really tough. It’s tough,” he said. The Dormans say they don’t begrudge people who want to lose weight, but that people with diabetes should take priority. “If someone wants to lose weight and you don’t allow him to take it, I think that’s just wrong,” Cheryl Dorman said. “It’s ridiculous,” she said. Bob Dorman will be switching to Ozempic in the future. He said he’s been assured it’s similar to Trulicity and should be well tolerated.
News 8 On Your Side is investigating a serious drug shortage that’s upsetting diabetic patients who need their medicine.
Researcher Susan Shapiro looked into the shortage and the drug companies’ response.
“I need it. It’s such a pain.”
Bob Dorman and his wife, Cheryl, have type 2 diabetes. The Camp Hill couple use Trulicity to help control their blood sugar levels.
Cheryl can still receive the 1.5 mg dose of the GLP-1 drug, but Bob cannot receive the 3 mg version.
“I ordered it last month and it was supposed to arrive and all of a sudden they say it’s been cancelled. I need it. It’s frustrating. I can’t believe it,” Bob Dorman said.
“I’m so grateful that this medication exists, but it’s incredibly frustrating knowing my husband doesn’t have the opportunity to use it,” Cheryl Dorman said.
The Dormans get their medication from Centerwell, an online pharmacy based in Ohio.
This dose of Trulicity is also not available at brick-and-mortar pharmacies like Camp Hill Pharmacy.
“We looked around to see if there were any competitors or stores that had the medicine in stock. Then we approached patients to get the medicine from there,” said pharmacist Smita Malkana.
Pharmaceutical company statements
Trulicity and other diabetes medications have been in short supply for months.
The highly publicized drug is in high demand as many people use it to lose weight.
Eli Lilly makes Trulicity, Maunjaro and Zepbound. The company said its facilities are operating 24/7 and that it is building a new factory.
Despite these efforts, the company is finding itself in a situation where supplies of these drugs are limited.
“We are working with purpose and urgency to meet increased demand while always prioritizing patient safety and meeting quality standards,” Eli Lilly said in a statement to News 8.
“The situation is tough.”
“These drugs are revolutionary, you just have to take them,” said Dr. David Bradley, director of the diabetes program at Penn State University Health Center.
These drugs need consistency, he said.
“The effects of these medications wear off quickly, so for patients looking for their medication, if they miss even one dose, it’s really difficult. It’s a tough situation,” he said.
The Dormans say they don’t blame people who want to lose weight, but that people with diabetes should be made a priority.
“If we’re not going to allow him to get it because some people want to lose weight to get it, I think that’s totally unreasonable,” Cheryl Dorman said.
Bob Dorman plans to switch to Ozempic, which he says he’s been assured is similar to Trulicity and should hold up well.
