Federal officials announced on Friday that the long-standing shortages of Ozempic and Wegovy, two widely used medications for diabetes and obesity, have been effectively resolved.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicated that drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk is now able to fulfill both current and anticipated demands within the United States.
However, patients may still encounter some interruptions in supply as the drugs transition from production to distributors and ultimately to pharmacies.
Since 2022, these injectable medications have been in a state of shortage due to high demand.
As a result, compounding pharmacies and other unauthorized entities that had been producing and distributing off-brand versions of these drugs during the shortage will need to cease their operations in the coming months, according to the FDA.
In December, the FDA had similarly announced the resolution of shortages for Eli Lilly and Co. products, specifically Zepbound and Mounjaro, both of which serve to manage obesity and diabetes respectively.
These two medications share the same active ingredient, tirzepatide, highlighting a growing trend in this category of treatments.
Ozempic is utilized for diabetes management while Wegovy targets weight loss; both employ an active component known as semaglutide.
Together with their counterparts, these four medications fall under a category known as GLP-1 treatments, which have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in promoting weight loss by reducing appetite and enhancing the sensation of fullness.
In recent years, sales of these drugs have surged significantly.
Despite their effectiveness, many patients have faced obstacles in accessing these medications due to supply shortages and complications with insurance coverage.
