High cost makes weight loss, diabetes drugs inaccessible
I’M MINDY BASARA IN TODAY’S MEDICAL ALERT, WEIGHT LOSS AND DIABETES DRUGS LIKE OZEMPIC WEGOVY AND ZYBAN ARE ALL THE RAGE RIGHT NOW. AND TO HELP BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THESE MEDICATIONS, THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE HELD A PANEL DISCUSSION WITH EXPERTS. AMONG THE TOPICS WAS ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES. 11 NEWS GETS THE FACTS ON OZEMPIC, WEGOVY, MANJARO AND ZEPPELIN. FIRST, THE EXPERTS SAY THE DRUGS ARE VERY EFFECTIVE. 81% OF PEOPLE ON OZEMPIC OR WEGOVY LOST AT LEAST 10% OF THEIR BODY WEIGHT, 41% LOST AT LEAST 20% BEYOND WEIGHT LOSS, THE DRUGS ARE EFFECTIVE AT TREATING HEART DISEASE, KIDNEY DISEASE, AND LIVER DISEASE. THE COST, THOUGH, IS EXTRAORDINARY. ABOUT $1,000 FOR A 30 DAY SUPPLY. AND EVEN WITH INSURANCE, THE COPAY IS IN THE HUNDREDS. ONLY 27% OF EMPLOYERS ACTUALLY COVER MEDICATIONS FOR WEIGHT LOSS, AND THOSE WHO NEED THE MEDICATION THE MOST DON’T HAVE ACCESS. JUST 6% OF US ADULTS WITH DIABETES AND OBESITY ARE TAKING THESE DRUGS, SAYS MEDICARE DOES NOT COVER OBESITY TREATMENT AT ALL. UM, AND PATIENTS WITH TYPE TWO DIABETES WHO COULD OFTEN GET THEM FOR GLUCOSE CONTROL CAN’T AFFORD THE COPAYS. UH, MAKING IT OUT OF REACH. AND WE’VE SHOWN THAT MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES GENERALLY ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO GET THESE DRUGS THAN THOSE WITH PRIVATE INSURANCE. EXPERTS SAY THE LACK OF ACCESSIBILITY MEANS MANY PEOPLE TURN TO UNREGULATED KNOCKOFF PRODUCTS THEY FIND ON THE INTERNET, WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS, AND THOSE WHO CAN GET ACCESS TO THE DRUG SOMETIMES HAVE TO STOP BECAUSE OF
Experts: Weight loss, diabetes drugs gain in popularity, but are less accessible to those in need
Updated: 4:52 PM EDT Mar 18, 2024
There are accessibility issues when it comes to getting weight loss and diabetes drugs that have quickly gained in popularity.| MORE : What to know about prescription drugs promising weight lossTo help better understand what’s happening with the medications that include Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound, the University of Maryland, Baltimore, held a panel discussion with experts.First, the experts said the drugs are very effective with 81% of people on Ozempic or Wegovy losing at least 10% of their body weight and 41% losing at least 20%.Beyond weight loss, the drugs are effective at treating heart, kidney and liver diseases.But the cost is extraordinary: About $1,000 for a 30-day supply. Even with insurance, the co-pay is in the hundreds, and only 27% of employers cover medications for weight loss.Those who need the medication the most don’t have access. Just 6% of U.S. adults with diabetes and obesity are taking the drugs.”Medicare does not cover obesity treatment at all, and patients with Type 2 diabetes who could get them for glucose control can’t afford the co-pay, making it out of reach. And, we’ve shown that Medicare beneficiaries are much less likely to get these drugs than those with private insurance,” said Dr. Rozalina McCoy, an endocrinologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center.Experts said the lack of accessibility means many people turn to unregulated knock-off products they find on the internet, which can be very dangerous. And, those who can get access to the drugs sometimes have to stop because of shortages, as demand continues to outpace supply.| SPECIAL: “Weight of the Nation” Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
BALTIMORE —
There are accessibility issues when it comes to getting weight loss and diabetes drugs that have quickly gained in popularity.
| MORE : What to know about prescription drugs promising weight loss
To help better understand what’s happening with the medications that include Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound, the University of Maryland, Baltimore, held a panel discussion with experts.
First, the experts said the drugs are very effective with 81% of people on Ozempic or Wegovy losing at least 10% of their body weight and 41% losing at least 20%.
Beyond weight loss, the drugs are effective at treating heart, kidney and liver diseases.
But the cost is extraordinary: About $1,000 for a 30-day supply. Even with insurance, the co-pay is in the hundreds, and only 27% of employers cover medications for weight loss.
Those who need the medication the most don’t have access. Just 6% of U.S. adults with diabetes and obesity are taking the drugs.
“Medicare does not cover obesity treatment at all, and patients with Type 2 diabetes who could get them for glucose control can’t afford the co-pay, making it out of reach. And, we’ve shown that Medicare beneficiaries are much less likely to get these drugs than those with private insurance,” said Dr. Rozalina McCoy, an endocrinologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Experts said the lack of accessibility means many people turn to unregulated knock-off products they find on the internet, which can be very dangerous. And, those who can get access to the drugs sometimes have to stop because of shortages, as demand continues to outpace supply.
| SPECIAL: “Weight of the Nation” Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
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