The current drug shortage has limited access for patients with diabetes who rely on it to control their blood sugar. Digital health companies make medications like Ozempic easier to get by providing prescriptions online.
A licensed healthcare professional (such as a doctor) will evaluate your health. If they determine that Ozempic may be right for you, they'll provide an electronic prescription. You can then order the medication through the service.
Novo Nordisk, the company that makes both Ozempic and Wegovy, told NBC News that the availability of Ozempic has improved, but supply issues still remain.
There has been a global shortage of Ozempic since early 2022 because of an unexpected increase in consumer demand because of off-label use of the drug for weight loss.
Ozempic is approved for diabetes management, but some doctors prescribe it to be used off-label (which is when a medication is used to treat a condition other than its FDA-approved criteria) for weight loss, too.
Ozempic isn't approved for weight loss. But because of how it works, some people taking Ozempic lose weight as a side effect. If you don't have diabetes, taking Ozempic for weight loss is considered an off-label use. Wegovy, a higher-dose version of Ozempic, is approved to help people manage their weight.
How to Get Ozempic in Australia. Ozempic is a highly sought after drug for managing diabetes and weight management, but it is important to know that it is prescription only. In Australia, this means you will need to speak with your doctor and have a prescription written up before you can start taking Ozempic.
Following the DA communication, health professionals have now been asked to prescribe and dispense Ozempic for only those adults living with type 2 diabetes.
'Ozempic stocks are available in Australia; however, there will be limited and intermittent availability until June 2023,' the statement reads. 'Novo Nordisk continues to build stable stock supplies over coming weeks and months …
Saxenda is an approved weight loss medication, and is readily available in Australia. Cost is approximately $387 a month. The knock on effect from the Ozempic shortage, is that Trulicity which is manufactured by Ely-Lilly is now in short supply.
Medicare doesn't cover Ozempic (or Wegovy) for weight loss
Over 40% of U.S. adults age 60 and older are considered obese, according to 2017-2020 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite the prevalence of obesity among older adults, Medicare won't cover weight loss drugs, including Wegovy.
How Long Can You Stay on Ozempic (semaglutide)? A person can stay on Ozempic® so long as they are tolerating the medication and it is deemed appropriate by their treating provider. There is no specific time frame when someone should stop taking Ozempic as it is a medication that is intended for chronic (long-term) use.
You might be a candidate for Ozempic if you meet these criteria: You have Type 2 diabetes. Your A1C level is uncontrolled with other interventions. You have cardiovascular disease or are at a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Ozempic is approved for people with Type 2 diabetes. And Wegovy is approved for people with obesity or those who are overweight and have health problems related to excess weight. If you lose weight with new drugs, you likely will need to keep taking the medications forever to keep the weight off.
So, on average, with the recommended starting Ozempic dose of 0.25 mg, a 500 to 1000 calorie reduced diet, and exercise 3 times a week, you can expect to lose 3-5 pounds in the first month of treatment, which works out to about 3% of body weight for most overweight or obese individuals.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has advised that limited supplies of Ozempic have now arrived in Australia. It is expected that from late next week some pharmacies will have stock.
On the PBS, Ozempic costs Australians about $42 a month (four weekly injections). On a private prescription, the cost is about $132 a month.
From 1 July the medicine Ozempic® (semaglutide) will be listed on the PBS as a new treatment option for type 2 diabetes. Ozempic® is a new once-weekly blood sugar (glucose) lowering treatment for the treatment of patients with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes.
Does insurance cover Ozempic? Often, Ozempic is not covered by insurance when prescribed specifically for weight loss alone. However, it may be covered as a treatment for type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, for pre-diabetes.
Ozempic® is a prescription medication. Novo Nordisk provides patient assistance for those who qualify. Please call 1-866-310-7549 to learn more about Novo Nordisk assistance programs.
Some individuals may actually gain more weight after stopping an obesity drug than they initially lost, Conde-Knape added. Studies have similarly shown weight rebound in people who stop taking Ozempic.
If you have private or commercial insurance, such as insurance you receive through an employer, you may be eligible to pay as little as $25 for a 1-, 2-, or 3-month prescription (maximum savings of $150 per 1-month prescription, $300 per 2-month prescription, or $450 per 3-month prescription).
Medicare doesn't cover Ozempic (or Wegovy) for weight loss
Despite the prevalence of obesity among older adults, Medicare won't cover weight loss drugs, including Wegovy.