Demand is ‘outstripping’ supply in the weight loss industry: Lydia Hu
Gxstocks Lydia Hu reports on the latest news emerging from the pharmaceutical industry as the U.S.’ medication shortage reaches a new record.
Prescription weight-loss drugs have become so popular in the U.S. that Americans cannot get enough of them — literally.
Telehealth provider Ro has created a new tool that helps track the supply of in-demand GLP-1 weight-loss drugs across the country, aiming to assist patients in finding the medications amid shortages.
The anti-diabetic medication "Ozempic" (semaglutide) made by Danish pharmaceutical company "Novo Nordisk".has been hailed for its' slimming properties, causing it and other GLP-1 drugs to surge in popularity and leading to shortages. (JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
GLP-1 agonists are a class of Type 2 diabetes drugs that improve blood sugar control and may also lead to weight loss. Semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Ozempic, as well as tirzepatide, which is the active ingredient in Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound, are considered GLP-1 drugs.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVO | NOVO NORDISK A/S | 132.68 | -1.40 | -1.04% |
| LLY | ELI LILLY & CO. | 811.53 | +3.67 | +0.45% |
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WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATION SHORTAGE CREATES MARKET FOR BOGUS DRUGS
Demand for the drugs has surged in recent years as people touted the drugs' weight-loss effects. But now, the medications are in short supply, and Ro says its new GLP-1 supply tracker can help.
Ro's new GLP-1 Supply Tracker aims to help patients find the popular medications amid shortages. (Ro / Fox News)
The tool allows patients to report the drug, dose and pharmacy where they find a supply of GLP-1 medications, and to report shortages that can be automatically sent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
It also allows patients to sign-up for email alerts to be notified when a GLP-1 supply becomes available in their area, and when the status of a GLP-1 drug is updated on the FDA's Drug Shortage List.
HIMS & HERS ROLLS OUT WEIGHT-LOSS SHOTS MUCH CHEAPER THAN OZEMPIC, WEGOVY
Ro said it initially planned to develop the tracker to assist its own patients, but decided to make it available for anyone who needs it.
Telehealth firm Ro has rolled out a GPL-1 Supply Tracker to assist patients in finding the popular medications. (Ro / Fox News)
"The GLP-1 shortage challenges are exacerbated by a lack of accurate, up-to-date, and accessible GLP-1 supply information. Patients deserve better," Ro co-founder and CEO Zachariah Reitano said in a statement.
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"We originally began building this tracker for Ro patients but knew that our scaled supply data and tech expertise positioned us to help all patients (whether Ro patient or not) navigate the shortage and have a greater chance of finding the GLP-1 medications they need," Reitano added.
