CNN
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Novo Nordisk, maker of the favored weight-loss drug Wegovy, says it has began to extend the supply of the drug for individuals in the US.
Demand-driven provide shortages pressured the corporate to limit the availability of Wegovy starter doses in Could.
“I’m more than happy to state that we are actually enabling extra new US sufferers to provoke therapy by greater than doubling the quantity of the lower-dose strengths of Wegovy in comparison with the earlier months,” Doug Langa, head of North America operations for Novo Nordisk, mentioned on a name with analysts Wednesday. “We are going to regularly be rising the general provide all through the rest of 2024.”
The US Meals and Drug Administration accepted Wegovy in 2021 for continual weight administration for individuals with a physique mass index of 30 or extra, or 27 or extra for these with a weight-related situation like hypertension. It’s designed to be taken as soon as every week by self-injection. Customers begin on the bottom dose, 0.25 milligrams, and transfer as much as a upkeep dose, 2.4 milligrams, over the course of 16 weeks to restrict unwanted side effects.
The lively ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, which is a part of a category of medicine that mimic the results of an appetite-regulating hormone referred to as GLP-1. They stimulate the discharge of insulin, which helps decrease blood sugar, and sluggish the passage of meals by means of the intestine. In clinical trials, semaglutide was proven to assist individuals lose about 15% of their physique weight, on common, together with eating regimen and train.
Sturdy demand for the drug after its approval rapidly led to a provide scarcity. In Could, Novo Nordisk mentioned it needed to limit the supply of the bottom three doses of Wegovy to maintain the drug accessible for individuals already taking it.
“The restricted provide of Wegovy posed a major impediment, stopping sufferers from commencing their most well-liked treatment remedy,” Dr. Priya Jaisinghani, an endocrinologist and weight problems medication specialist at NYU Langone Well being, mentioned in an e mail to CNN. “The expanded availability of Wegovy starter doses represents a breakthrough, providing a tangible resolution to those that have been eagerly awaiting the chance to embark on their chosen therapy path.”
To attempt to meet demand, Novo Nordisk mentioned, it has expanded the availability chain by contracting with new producers. It plans to maintain this enlargement in 2024 by investing about $6.5 billion in manufacturing, nearly double that of final 12 months.
“We are going to carefully monitor market dynamics and prescribing traits and can proceed to handle shipments as finest as doable in an effort to assist continuity of take care of sufferers,” the corporate mentioned in an announcement. “Nonetheless, it’s vital to bear in mind that general demand will proceed to exceed provide which implies that some sufferers should still have problem filling Wegovy prescriptions.”
Provide isn’t the one issue limiting entry to Wegovy and different weight problems medicines. Jaisinghani mentioned that many individuals who qualify for weight problems medicines can’t entry them as a result of excessive price of the medication and inadequate insurance coverage protection. A one-month provide of Wegovy can price $1,350 earlier than insurance coverage, medical doctors have informed CNN.
Novo Nordisk has reaped big earnings from the gross sales of Wegovy and its sister diabetes treatment Ozempic, reporting a complete gross sales development of 36% and an working revenue development of 44% in 2023, however competitors has additionally emerged. In November, the FDA approved Eli Lilly’s drug tirzepatide, used within the diabetes drug Mounjaro, for the therapy of weight problems beneath the title Zepbound. The checklist worth of Zepbound is about 20% lower than the worth of Wegovy.
Whatever the model, making certain entry to weight problems medicines for eligible individuals is essential, Jaisinghani mentioned. She additionally warns towards acquiring weight-loss medicines by means of probably dangerous avenues similar to medical tourism or compounding pharmacies.
“Guaranteeing sustained weight administration is a crucial goal, and interruptions resulting from drug shortages pose substantial challenges for ongoing therapy plans,” Jaisinghani mentioned.