The latest wonder drugs to sweep the nation in the weight loss world are in a class known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists or GLP 1 RA. These drugs have been used to treat type 2 diabetes for about the last 15 years. Drugs such as Ozempic and Rybelsus are FDA approved for the treatment of diabetes, but not weight loss. The active ingredient in these drugs is semaglutide. Using the drugs for something other than what they are approved for is called using them “off-Label”. Physicians can in most cases order a medication off label if they feel it is safe and effective. As people realized the weight loss affect of the drugs, they began to be used off label for weight loss. The explosion of use created a national shortage of the drugs.
The same active ingredient, semaglutide is also in a drug that is FDA approved for weight loss known as Wegovy. Other GLP drugs, liraglutide, and tirzepatide have also been used to develop similar drugs that are approved for weight loss. Drugs Saxenda and Mounjaro are made from these. The problem with the drugs that are approved for weight loss is that they are extremely expensive and may not be covered by insurance.
The national shortage of semaglutide has caused several problems. As the demand has continued to go up, compounding pharmacies began to create drugs using semaglutide sourced from possibly questionable sources using loopholes in the rules surrounding drug shortages. Due to safety concerns surrounding these compounded semaglutide agents, and the overall shortage, some medical boards have forbidden providers from both writing prescriptions for semaglutide drugs off label and using compounding pharmacies to get the semaglutide agents for patients.
I have been helping people lose weight for over 10 years. Since day 1, people have been looking for that magic pill to help them lose weight. Many thought these GLP drugs were just that, only to find out they didn’t qualify for them or could not afford them . The truth is, the magic pill or shot still does not exist. weight loss drugs are one tool in the arsenal of healthcare providers who specialize in the treatment of obesity. Proper nutrition, exercise, and behavior modification are all paramount to long term success.
What is concerning is that obesity is not treated like the disease process that it is. Obesity directly contributes to many major chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure , high cholesterol and heart disease. These things could be treated and even prevented with the aggressive treatment of obesity. Yet, many insurance carriers will not cover weight loss treatment or drugs. Many States have passed legislation mandating that health insurance carriers who sell policies in their states cover the treatment of obesity. Mississippi, the state with the 5th highest obesity rate is not one of these.
The main point of this post is to inform the public of the reason your healthcare provider may not be able to get you the Ozempic or other GLP prescription you are asking for, since they make it look so good on TV. Be cautious of any healthcare provider or social media ads who tell you they can get you these medications through compounding pharmacies. If you are angry and want to take action, let your state legislators know that obesity treatment should be a mandatory for insurance companies in the state. Most importantly, do not let lack of availability to these or any other drugs stop you from getting help losing weight. There are so many issues involved with losing weight, look for a professional medical weight loss provider and let them help you reach your goal of better health.
David Bonner