If you’re one of the many people who depends on Ozempic for weight loss and to lower blood sugar, you may have been shocked to learn it has been placed in shortage by Novo Nordisk. This is not uncommon with new drugs as Big Pharma tries to recuperate the investment for marketing and R&D. It is estimated that supplies will be strained through mid-March. The good news is that there are ways to save on the hefty price tag, including using coupons and other discounts.
The main ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. When injected into the body, it decreases appetite, slows gastric emptying and delays intestinal motility, which results in a lower blood glucose level. While the drug is prescribed for diabetics to help them lose weight, it also has been successful in helping people who are not diabetic lose excess weight and reduce their BMI.
Those who are uninsured or on Medicare may be able to find ways to save on the cost of Ozempic. While most health insurance providers do not cover anti-obesity medications, some do. Buying the drug out-of-pocket can be expensive, though, with prices of up to $1,200 for a month’s supply.
Some pharmacists are offering to fill prescriptions for Ozempic at a discount, and patients are urging their doctors to do the same. However, it is important to remember that the branded version of Ozempic has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use only in patients who meet specific clinical criteria and is not being subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS). The TGA has advised that doctors should consult with patient organisations and wholesalers before prescribing semaglutide products from other countries or manufacturers to ensure they are suitable for the specified patient groups.
In an effort to keep up with demand for the drug, Novo Nordisk has made a number of other forms of the medication available in addition to the injectable form of Ozempic. A tablet that can be taken with food or drink has been developed, and a generic version of the medicine will soon be available. It is not yet known whether these alternatives will be effective or safe.
Novo Nordisk is also Buy Ozempic wholesale working on another brand of the drug called Wegovy, which is intended to be used in a different way and for a different group of patients. The company says it is for those who cannot achieve adequate weight loss with diet and exercise alone and for whom the benefits of a longer-acting once-weekly injection outweigh the risks. However, it is important for anyone who plans to use Wegovy or any other GLP-1 agonist to consult with their doctor before making the switch as it has not been shown to be effective or safe in the same patient groups as Ozempic.
In the US, some pharmacies are offering to help people who are struggling with the price of the drug by giving them coupons and other discounts. In addition, Novo Nordisk is offering a patient assistance program for people who do not have health insurance or who have Medicare and are having trouble affording the medication. The programs provide cost-free or discounted medicines, as well as copay assistance, for those who qualify.
0 comments:
Post a Comment