SAN DIEGO — Patients who have taken diabetes drugs for years are now scrambling to find their next dose as some medications are in short supply, largely because they're helping people lose weight.
“Yes, there is an extreme shortage and that's not really good for the people who actually need it,” said Dr. Steven Edelman, a UC San Diego endocrinologist who heads the non-profit, Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD).
Drugs like Victoza, Ozempic and Mounjaro were meant to treat type-two diabetes. They're in short supply these days because they also help patients lose weight, along with other health benefits, according to Dr. Edelman.
“These GLP-1 drugs not only reduce your blood sugar and help you lose weight, they protect against heart attacks and strokes. They protect against fatty liver. And there was just a publication showing that they reduce seven types of cancers that are associated with obesity,” said Edelman.
A CBS 8 viewer contacted us after she was unable to find Victoza anywhere, a drug she's been taking for years.
In October, the company that makes Victoza, Novo Nordisk, announced it would reduce production of the drug in order to increase production of Ozempic.
“Both Novo Nordisk and Lilly, the makers of these GLP-1 drugs, they are building plants all around the world with 24/7 workers, three shifts a day because they're trying to keep up with the demand,” said Edelman.
CBS 8 reached out to Novo Nordisk, which provided the following statement:
“Since supply disruptions began in January 2024, we have been continuously supplying the market with product. However, the limited supply situation will continue in the U.S. throughout 2024. At this time, we cannot project when we will reach full supply. This is not a result of the success of our GLP-1s. If patients cannot find Victoza® at their preferred pharmacy, we encourage them to try other local pharmacies for availability. If unsuccessful, we recommend patients speak with their healthcare provider about their treatment plan to determine the best course of action. We sincerely apologize for any disruption to care that may be experienced and we appreciate the patience and understanding of the healthcare professional community and patients.”
“You don't want to stop these drugs because, what happens, they've shown it time and time again, you gain the weight back that you lost originally. So, when you lose weight, you lose muscle and you lose fat. But if you stop it and you gain weight back, all of that weight gain is fat,” said Dr. Edelman.
Edelman said it’s okay to switch to a different brand of these drugs, as long as you consult your doctor to make sure you're taking the correct dose. And, he warned, beware of counterfeit drugs hitting the internet.
“There's a lot of shysters out there making counterfeit Ozempic and Mounjaro. I see it on Instagram. Please be careful and do not buy anything that's not the real product, which is obtained at a pharmacy with a prescription,” he said.
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