The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that popular weight loss medication tirzepatide is no longer in shortage. However, this change may lead to higher costs and tougher access for patients who rely on cheaper versions of the drug. Compounded tirzepatide, which costs around $250 to $350 per month, may be restricted or banned by 2025.
Tirzepatide is a GLP-1 agonist that mimics hormones in the body to regulate appetite and blood sugar, helping patients lose up to 25% of their body weight. The shortage led to pharmacies offering custom-made versions with the same active ingredient at a lower cost. However, the FDA has signaled it will crack down on compounded tirzepatide.
The FDA’s announcement means that compounding pharmacies will be restricted from making copies of brand-name tirzepatide without an official shortage. The decision affects patients who have relied on the lower-priced medication and may lead to higher costs for those relying on telehealth services.
Companies are adapting to the change, with some offering half-price versions of weight loss medications or striking deals with pharmaceutical companies. However, access to weight loss drugs remains out of reach for many people due to high pricing and limited availability.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/fda-shortage-of-weight-loss-drug-tirzepatide-zepbound-is-over-2024-12