Status: 10.08.2023, 12:57 p.m.
By: Felicitas Bogner
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Supply bottleneck: In pharmacies, the increased demand for the diabetes drug Ozempic is extremely noticeable. This is also confirmed by Eva Löhle from the Alte Apotheke in Lenggries. © i.e.
Because of stars, there is currently a hype about the drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. To the chagrin of diabetes sufferers who are dependent on the injections.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen – At least since the weight loss of celebrities like Elon Musk, many have heard of Ozempic or Wegovy. However, the active ingredient semaglutide in the two drugs, with which stars in the USA celebrate weight loss success, is a means of treating diabetes. More and more people – also in the district – are now trying to get the injections to fight against annoying kilos. To the chagrin of diabetes patients who really need the preparation. There is a supply bottleneck.
Due to supply bottlenecks: "Weight loss injection" Ozempic is currently only available with a prescription
"I had Ozempic for the first time in February 2021 in my pharmacy in Lenggries. At that time, the drug was quite newly approved in Germany, and the demand was quite hesitant," says Lenggries pharmacist Eva Löhle. "Those who got it prescribed by the doctor were exclusively diabetics." According to the media reports about the side effect of weight loss, demand has "picked up significantly".
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At the moment, it is not easy to get the drug. "In the meantime, you can only get Ozempic with a prescription that has a diagnosis of diabetes – and I think that's right," says the owner of the Old Pharmacy. Nevertheless, there are waiting lists. In Löhle's opinion, according to the doctor's instructions, there is nothing wrong with using Wegovy as a support for weight loss. "The active ingredient is the same, only you can dose it higher. It's much more expensive, of course." Currently, it is much more difficult to get this drug.
That's not funny. Patients are well adjusted to the drug and need their weekly dose.
Dr. Kerstin Metzger.
The fact that Ozempic is hardly available anymore is something that Dr. Kerstin Metzger notices very clearly. The diabetologist with a practice in Bad Tölz reports that some of her patients find it very difficult or impossible to get the injections. "That's not funny. Patients are well adjusted to the drug and need their weekly dose." Metzger had to work with other preparations and insulin to compensate for the loss of the weekly injection. "This is a total stopgap. But some simply didn't get the drug anywhere."
She couldn't quite understand the hype surrounding the drug among non-diabetic patients. "It's certainly not a miracle cure for weight loss," she points out. Even though most patients would lose a few kilos first, the drug has some unpleasant side effects such as digestive problems, headaches or nausea.
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"Weight loss injection" often comes with unpleasant side effects
Weight reduction is often associated with the drug because it slows down the processes in the gastrointestinal tract, provides a longer feeling of satiety and inhibits appetite, explains Metzger. However, the effect only lasts for a week, and the dose must be increased regularly. "After a certain period of time, patients no longer feel these effects. What's more, everything is the same when you stop taking the medication."
Therefore, according to Metzger, it only makes sense to use the active ingredient as a supplement to a change in diet and exercise. "It can be a support for a change of life, but you shouldn't see it uncritically either." There are no long-term studies yet, the drug is too new for that, explains the doctor.
Dr. Kerstin Metzger, diabetologist from Bad Tölz. © Private
Either way, it is important that the diabetes drug Ozempic is reserved for people diagnosed with diabetes. "As soon as Wegovy becomes more available, we can think about using it to support obesity therapy." In Germany, only Ozempic is currently available. Although Wegovy has already been approved by the European Medicines Agency – at least for the treatment of obesity – it is currently on the waiting list of pharmacies.
Pharmacist Andreas Heinrich can't quite understand the interest. "There is always a risk-benefit assessment, and the drug has side effects such as dizziness, headaches, nausea or constipation," he says. "I don't understand why someone would put up with this without being dependent on the drug for health reasons."
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He, too, notices in his pharmacies in Bad Tölz and Lenggries that customers inform themselves about the drug for weight loss or come with a private prescription from the doctor. "But I don't think it's as big an issue here in the countryside as it is in big cities." However, the supply bottleneck is also being felt in the Isarwinkel: "Unfortunately, I also have diabetic patients whom I have to send away."
"The request is definitely there"
Injections are also an issue in general practitioners' practices. "The request is definitely there," says Dr. Jörg Lohse from Münsing. He treats some diabetes patients with the drug. "In general, it is excellently tolerated. However, I also see side effects that have not yet been listed, such as skin peeling, which make me a little cautious."
It is bought away by patients who, without diabetes, are prescribed Ozempic by various doctors to lose weight. Thus, this therapy option for the sick is eaten away by those who want to lose weight in terms of lifestyle without restricting themselves.
Dr. Jörg Lohse
In fact, the European Medicines Agency is also currently examining whether the use of Ozempic and Wegovy can promote suicidal ideation. The problem is that the remedy is currently not sufficiently available. Lohse: "It is bought away by patients who, without diabetes, are prescribed Ozempic by various doctors to lose weight. Thus, this therapy option for the sick is eaten away by those who want to lose weight in terms of lifestyle without restricting themselves."
Dr. Matthias Bohnenberger, a general practitioner from Tölz, says: "More and more patients are asking me, but as soon as I explain that Ozempic is only available for diabetics and Wegovy is much more expensive, the willingness is gone." After all, you have to expect about 300 to 400 euros per month if you want to use the means for weight loss, says the family doctor spokesman. In general, he would also recommend other ways for obesity therapy. (feb)
You can find even more up-to-date news from the region at Merkur.de/Bad Tölz.