Buyer Beware – Changes on the Horizon for Weight Loss Medications
If you are a longevity and lifestyle medicine provider who prescribes semaglutides as part of a weight management protocol, you and your current/prospective patients, may be affected by the FDA announcement on February 21, 2025 that the semaglutide shortage has been resolved. In short, this means that compounded semaglutide meds that have been on the market will no longer be available as they have been. Hims and Hers, for example, which has been aggressively advertising the alternative products won’t sell exact copies of Ozempic and Wegovy after the first quarter of this year, and it won’t in the future unless the FDA declares another shortage. Any provider who has been utilizing compounded versions of the medications will have to go back to the FDA approved versions. Some compounded versions can still be made, limited to dosages not available.
What does this mean for you and your longevity and lifestyle medicine patients? This likely depends upon your point of view. A few weeks ago, Novo Nordisc manufacturer of Wegovy and Ozempic released their own statement about what they call the Irresponsible Advertising by Companies Selling Knockoff Versions of GLP-1 Medicines. Their belief is that that, without the rigor of FDA approval, the other medications that have been available are risky and potentially dangerous. They have a vested interest, of course but do make some good points. While lower prices and mass marketing potentially made the medications accessible to more people, there could be some added risks.
For longevity and lifestyle medicine providers, this news could be a double-edged sword. There are already some warnings of possible “localized” shortages and your costs may rise. On the other hand, you may now have the opportunity to reach some patients who may have previously gone the mail-order route and received medication without the customized, well-rounded approach you provide. This is a great time to promote your personalized, longevity and lifestyle focused services and access to a full range of healthy weight management solutions.
Importantly, if you are a longevity and lifestyle medicine provider, you need to stay aware of the medications you are receiving and ensure that you are staying compliant with the change in status for semaglutides (and tirzepaitides which were taken off the shortage list in December). See the FDA announcement for more details on when changes take effect.