Demand for diabetes drugs is skyrocketing

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) — 1 in 10 people in the United States have diabetes, according to the CDC, and the majority have type 2.

“(It) is basically a chronic metabolic disease, where the person has kind of high blood sugar. So in their blood they just have extra sugar,” said family physician Dr Maria Fernandez. at the Community Health Alliance.

She says there are several treatments and medications for diabetes, and one of the most common is Ozempic.

“Ozempic is considered a glp1, glucagon-like peptide-1,” Fernandez said. This type of medication mimics the action of a hormone and helps lower blood sugar levels.

But this is not the only advantage. It also improves heart function and weight loss.

The drug is shared on all social networks, which increases its popularity. “I have patients who have difficulty getting the meds and I’ve known through our pharmacies that we have reflux when we have the meds and when we don’t have the meds, and I think that this has been the case in all pharmacies,” Fernández said.

More than irresponsible use, experts say the current shortage is due to the multiple benefits of injection, combined with demand and supply chain issues caused by COVID.

Ozempic is different from insulin, where a lack of access could be dangerous or even fatal. But for many, the drug is helpful, and if they have to change, dosing frequency can be a challenge.

“Ozempic is a weekly injection and so we could switch to another one which is also once a week like Trulicity, but usually sometimes we have to switch to the more available Victoza which is a daily injection. So yeah, it’s difficult if we are making that change,” Fernandez said.

If you’re having trouble finding this medication, Dr. Fernandez recommends talking to your healthcare provider to see what options are available. Be aware that Community Health Alliance is accepting patients at all of its locations.

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