Popularity of diabetes drug creates its shortage

Many videos and posts comparing body shapes before and after weight loss with the help of a diabetes drug can be found on social media platforms.

As a new trend for weight loss, people in the US are turning to a diabetes drug, resulting in a national shortage of these medications. This shortage also poses a threat to those with type 2 diabetes, who depend on these drugs for their health.

Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable medication originally developed eight years ago to help people with type 2 diabetes keep blood sugar under control. The drug has been wildly popular on social media because of one of its side effects: weight loss.

In fact, the active ingredient in Ozempic, known as semaglutide, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration at higher doses for obesity treatment, named Wegovy.

Wegovy has been popular on social media for a while, and endorsements from celebrities are driving demand for the drug amid a shortage. This has led people to shift their attention to Ozempic, which is made by the same company and contains ingredients similar to Wegovy.

The popularity of the drug is causing its shortage worldwide. The UK's Department of Health and Social Care has suggested that no new patients be started on Ozempic. Shortages have also been observed in Australia and Ireland, along with intermittent supply problems in Canada.

Ozempic's manufacturer Novo Nordisk has appealed to the health authorities to intervene and discourage off-label prescribing.

Diabetes and weight loss have long been problems in the US, where more than 14 percent of adults have diabetes and nearly 42 percent are obese, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Surge marked

In February, the US saw over 373,000 Ozempic prescriptions filled, marking a surge of 111 percent compared to the same week in 2022, according to a JP Morgan analysis reported by CNN. Among these, over 50 percent were new prescriptions, CNN said.

However, taking Ozempic to manage weight comes with substantial expenses, both in terms of finances and potential side effects.

The medications are priced at approximately $1,000 to $1,300 monthly, according to The Washington Post. While private insurance generally covers diabetes medications, it frequently excludes drugs intended for weight loss purposes.

At the bottom of the Ozempic TV advertisement, a small line of text reads, "Ozempic is not a weight loss drug." However, this has not stopped people from using it as a weight loss drug. And they are grappling with the drug's side effects.

John Hallam, 82, who has been dealing with type 2 diabetes for 33 years, said Ozempic is "vital and highly beneficial" for him. Due to the shortage, Hallam is being prescribed an alternative, which he felt was less effective and causing blood sugar spikes, which can lead to a stroke or eye problems.