Shortages of the diabetes and obesity medications Ozempic and Wegovy, which have persisted for over two years, are finally coming to an end, according to federal regulators. As supply levels for these widely used treatments continue to improve, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Friday that the manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, is now capable of meeting both current and future demand in the United States.
However, patients might still encounter some disruptions in supply during the transition from the manufacturer to distributors and subsequently to pharmacies. These injectable medications have experienced a shortage since 2022, complicating access for many individuals in need of them.
In a related development, the FDA also shared that the supply issues for Zepbound and Mounjaro, produced by Eli Lilly and Co., have been resolved. Zepbound is indicated for obesity treatment, while Mounjaro is designed for diabetes management—both drugs feature the same active ingredient, tirzepatide.
Ozempic, utilized for diabetes, and Wegovy, aimed at weight loss, are based on the active ingredient semaglutide. All four of these medications belong to a GLP-1 class of treatments that have yielded significant success in facilitating weight loss by reducing appetite and enhancing satiety.
Sales for these drugs have surged in recent years, yet the ongoing shortages have posed considerable challenges for patients as manufacturers have been racing to boost output.
