Semaglutide for obese unemployed

[PBarks]

I am told by the pharmacist attached to my GP's surgery that it proving difficult to get hold of Semaglutide (Ozempic). One version of events I have heard is that most of it is diverted to the USA and sold there as a weight control drug. If the idea of trying to help obese unemployed persons go back to work by prescribing Semaglutide and the like catches on, what will be the priority? Will diabetic patients like myself find that the drug will become unavailable? This is a concern because I have found that I use nearly half the amount of insulin using Semaglutide compared to the situation before it was prescribed. In all the reporting of this issue that I have heard no mention has been made on the effects of supply for diabetics. I appreciate that this sounds very selfish but................................

 

[Antje77]

One version of events I have heard is that most of it is diverted to the USA and sold there as a weight control drug. If the idea of trying to help obese unemployed persons go back to work by prescribing Semaglutide and the like catches on

I don't see how an unemployed person living in the US would be able to afford Ozempic. No NHS over there.

 

[PBarks]

As I understand it Semaglutide is sold to anyone who can afford it in the USA, which probably does not include the unemployed. Perhaps I should have said "if the idea catches on here"

 

[Lamont D]

For what it's worth, the pharma have produced a pill called rybelsus, that is the same active ingredients as the ozempic, and is being prescribed to T2s.
I have no doubt that there will be other similar drugs available soonish.
Also, the new government has already announced that this will happen. And of course seeing is believing.
I am aware that the government and pharma has been in discussions for months.
So assuming all this, it will be available in more quantities than before. I hope.

 

[Antje77]

Do I understand correctly you believe that a large number of people (on either side of the pond) are unemployed solely due to being obese?
While there are some people who are so large that they are very much disabled because of this, there are very few of those. If such a drug could improve their quality of life, and maybe even enable them to work again, I should hope they will get it on prescription!

Most fat people do not have a problem working, and I highly doubt losing weight will suddenly enable many unemployed people who happen to be fat to start working again.

 

[Lakeslover]

Do I understand correctly you believe that a large number of people (on either side of the pond) are unemployed solely due to being obese?
While there are some people who are so large that they are very much disabled because of this, there are very few of those. If such a drug could improve their quality of life, and maybe even enable them to work again, I should hope they will get it on prescription!

Most fat people do not have a problem working, and I highly doubt losing weight will suddenly enable many unemployed people who happen to be fat to start working again.

The uk government have suggested that prescribing people mounjaro will get them back to work. Seems unlikely to me.

At the same time my gP diabetic nurse wanted to prescribe it to me but hospital diabetic nurse says no as my bmi is only 28.

 

[PBarks]

Antje77, I was making no personal observation about the issues of unemployment or obesity, I was simply asking about the implications for diabetics of a government policy.

 

[Antje77]

Antje77, I was making no personal observation about the issues of unemployment or obesity, I was simply asking about the implications for diabetics of a government policy.

The uk government have suggested that prescribing people mounjaro will get them back to work.

I was unaware of your government having come up with this very unlikely solution to unemployment, my apologies.

 

[PBarks]

I was unaware of your government having come up with this very unlikely solution to unemployment, my apologies.

No apology necessary at all. I have to say that it sounds like a very unlikely solution to me too and I am sure that you will see why I asked about the implications for diabetics if the drugs are already in short supply.

 

[Lakeslover]

I was unaware of your government having come up with this very unlikely solution to unemployment, my apologies.

No apology needed, I wouldn’t be aware of your government policies either.

 

[Outlier]

We do well to bear in mind that what is reported in the press and other media is not necessarily what was actually said.

 

[Melgar]

Has there been an official statement from the government on Semaglutide usage in obese individual and its relationship on motivation and work? I did read about this in the press. I thought it strange, but there must have been preliminary studies on the merits of weight loss and work. It may, of course, have been leaked to the press to gauge its reception prior to an official release by the government.

@PBarks I agree the US acquires significant stocks of Semaglutide for their obese patients to the detriment of stocks for T2 patients in Europe and else where. I have also read, NewYork Times and Reuters, that Novo Nordisk are planning a $4B investment in the US allocating these funds for a new factory for the manufacture of weightloss drugs - Ozempic.

I have also read that Novo is shifting more and more resources to the manufacture and production of weightloss drugs at the detriment of other Novo products mainly insulin pens, effecting African countries, who’s type 1 diabetics are having to go back to needle usage. So the effects of this massive focus on weightloss drugs such as Ozempic are significant for both type 2 diabetics in general and for Type 1 diabetics in African countries and elsewhere no doubt.
Edited for clarity.