Patients with , a disease on the rise that is estimated to affect more than 5.3 million Spaniards, have been struggling for months to find one of the most prescribed drugs to treat this disease, which globally affects 422 million people.
Talk later Ozempicone of the GLP-1 analog drugs, which not only effectively improve blood glucose control, but also help to lose weight.
This drug only It is administered to those patients who, in addition to having been diagnosed with diabetes, also suffer from obesity (BMI between 25 and 29.9).
Why is Ozempic running out?
Juan Pedro Risquezvice president of , points out to this newspaper that its improper use is one of the main reasons that explain the shortages in pharmacies inside and outside our borders.
And it is that not a few endocrinologists they are prescribing it to patients who have overweight problems, but not diabetes.
“Supply problems continue, and not only in Spain, but also in neighboring countries”, highlights the president of the College of Pharmacists of Jaén.
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“It is a medication that requires a prescription and is indicated for diabetic patients with obesity. Take it without a medical diagnosis and, of course, without a doctor’s prescription, can put our health at risk”.
Currently, the availability of this type of medication is “intermittent”. The (AEMPS) has alerted that, as it appears in its prospectus, they are “authorized” to improve glycemic control in the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus “not sufficiently controlled with diet and exercise”.
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Therefore, the use of these treatments “for authorized conditions” should be prioritized, which is none other than glycemic control in patients with diabetes.
The supply problem, indicates the organization, is extensible to other injectable drugs in pre-filled pens such as Trulicity and Bydureon.
Saxenda, the only drug for obesity approved in Spain
In Spain we have Saxendaa drug that is administered daily and is indicated for people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30. Or 27, in the event that there are associated comorbidities (such as fatty liver or ).
It should be injected into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, at any time of the day, regardless of meals.
other medication, Wegoby, has not yet been authorized in our country, although it is alreadyis approved by the Agency for Medicines in the United States (FDA) and consists of an injection of (type 2 diabetes medicine) that promotes the release of insulin to compensate for high blood sugar levels.
A spike in demand for Ozempic in the last quarter
The peak demand for this type of , which has emerged in the last quarter of this year, has caused the pharmaceutical industry “not enough”, although there are alternative treatments “that are also injectable” and that have the same efficacy.
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“We do not have exact data, but it does seem that there has been an increase in the consumption of this medicine (Ozempic) because, in addition to the intended indication, the fact that some endocrinology specialists are treating obesity with this drug has been added”.
On social networks, this medicine has achieved a popularity that is not typical of a medical device.
Celebrities like Elon Musk, CEO of Twitter, has shared in his account the “secret” of his diet: “fasting, Ozempic and away from appetizing food.”
Fasting + Ozempic/Wegovy + no tasty food near me
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk)
For this reason, the pharmacist sends a clear message after many celebrities have shared on their social networks that they use this medication for a purpose other than the one for which it was approved.
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“It requires , and no person is going to get this product without a prescription. And, in addition, it can cause an alteration in your health, since it is not convenient to take them on your own”.
Ozempic: how much does it cost and how is this drug administered?
As you can read in their prospectus, Ozempic, from Novo Nordisk, contains the active substance semaglutide, which helps the body to lower the blood glucose level, only when the sugar levels are too high. It also helps prevent heart disease.
It can only be used in patients with type 2 diabetes, over 18 years of age, and when other medications indicated for this disease have not worked together with a healthy and balanced diet and physical exercise.
This drug creates a Feeling full by mimicking the hormone that regulates appetite. And the results reflect that the reduction of body weight in a year goes from 6% to 15%.
The 1.5 milliliter pre-filled pen is priced at 128.15 euros. But since it is a medicine financed by the National Health System, the cost for patients drops to 4.24 euros.
The starting dose is 0.25 milligrams, once a week for a month.
The dose is then increased to 0.5 milligrams a week, which can go up to 2 milligrams “if blood sugar is not adequately controlled.”
Among its side effects, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea stand out, which can cause dehydration, intense and continuous pain in the stomach area, experiencing an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or worsening vision if you suffer previous diabetic eye disease.
Sale skyrockets on the black market, which are usually counterfeits
One is enough to realize that, in recent months, the illegal sale of medicines that require a medical prescription has increased. Not only because of the supply problems suffered by certain drugs, but also because of the impossibility of buying them without a doctor’s prescription.
Despite the frontal opposition of the laboratories, the Internet has become a true black market for all kinds of treatments: from anxiolytics to diazepam or Orphidaluntil Ozempic. On the Internet, its price can exceed 150 euros.
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The advice…