My second post - thank you so much for your calm, organized, factual report on this issue. Many of the other sites I follow, have an hysterical quality to them. I’d do brand name in a heartbeat if it was affordable - I’m 70 years old-Medicare- no other health issues so it would be out of pocket - I did do it for a while- lowest price with GOODRx was $1100/mo. I have no issues with my current telehealth working with the pharmacy to add some B vitamins.( seems to be the default additive) as it Costs me $391/mo (I use Mochi as well - so that is membership +medication). Thanks so much for all your information sharing.
I am on Medicare and my plan pharmacy managed by Express Scripts (one of the BIG PBMs which is a HUGE ripoff) does NOT cover meds for weight loss. I started on compounded due to the HIGH price of the EL drugs. We are not even allowed to use the coupon code. :( I cannot afford $1000+ a month for this medication and frankly I don't know many people who can. Tirzpepatide, I believe, is saving my life. My liver is detoxing, and my autoimmune issues which cause inflammation are being controlled. The weight loss is a plus. So, I am hopeful that others like me will speak up and that Medicare will finally realize that if we control obesity which is proven to cause many expensive diseases that it is a Win Win. Prayerful!
Thank you for this video! By far the most informative and measured presentation of the subject I have seen or read thus far. (and trust me, I have scoured the interwebs!). I like how you describe the processes and explain the steps for this situation! My insurance does not cover obesity drugs, and I can't afford name brand, so I am on compound tirzepatide. I actually prefer the compound because I can control my dose by titrating up way slower than the pens. Again, thank you for sharing, I feel mostly better about being able to stay on my medicine (I don't trust greedy big pharma). I am only on week 6 and have gone from 358 to 337 in that time. It's been the easiest, and frankly most wonderful experience losing weight in my 40+ years of adult life. I am not sure what I would do if I was forced to stop. Seriously... it causes high anxiety to think about it. ❤
Thank you for watching and the kind words. These medications have become critical to so many of us - we will continue to tell the stories and news, as it evolves
Thank you for this information, and your perspective! I would really hate to not be able to get tirzepatide, it has been life changing for me, like it has been for so many others. I wish I believed that the FDA would protect patients, and not allow Eli Lilly to take compounds off the market when they can't meet the demand. But I don't trust our regulatory agencies to protect citizens over corporations.
You’re welcome - Eli Lilly does not actually have the power to stop compounding. It would require regulatory action from the fda or patent enforcement from a court
@@thedownsized that makes sense...but I also have seen big corporations bully our system into working for them too many times to think they don't have any say!
Great reporting, Christopher. I appreciate your calm and fact-based approach. I’m sure we will all be watching the August 8 Lilly quarterly earnings call with great interest.
I wonder if suddenly the 503A compounding pharmacies will say we all *need* B12 mixed in with our Tirzepatide in order to keep filling our scripts. I know Redrock and Hallendale don't add anything currently. Perhaps that will need to change if Lilly truly pulls this stunt. Welcome back from your trip; I just got home from my camping trip. My weight stalled - I just am not diligent about tracking when off my routine!
yes it will have to be something like that - the a need to have a something that makes it unique to the patient and not just. copy. Yes it is much easier at home and on a routine.
@@thedownsized I really want to be on compound while on maintenance. I feel like going down a syringe unit to find my "sweet spot" would be easier than going down "a leap" via the pen.
I heard from a patent attorney on another group that adding something like vitamins or changing the dose will definitely not cut it. That does not get around the patent. Vitamins are found as a separate supplement, so it does not change the nature or delivery of the medication for the individual.
I have seen that as well the compounding rules are pretty clear and they have been used for decades to by pass the patent law. Whether it’s vitamins or something else - doctors and pharmacists will figure it out. www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/section-503a-federal-food-drug-and-cosmetic-act
not sure what you are looking at but it is all showing available www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/dsp_ActiveIngredientDetails.cfm?AI=Tirzepatide%20Injection&st=c Look at the individual listings for the doses
503A pharmacies will be impacted. They can only compound out of a shortage if there is a legitimate reason to do so (e.g. patient has an allergy to ingredients in branded).
I have one thing to say about the vials (and I have used compounded in this shortage as well, so no bias against them). As I write this, a lot of news is coming out about overdoses with people using the vials. I believe a lot of that is the different formulations of the semaglutide and tirzepatide in compounding pharmacies. People are taking incorrect dosages, over dosing, not the lowering of the dose or microdosing. So many people are not taught how to draw up the correct amount _for their vial_ and I see that all day long on videos and blogs that talk about the dose they are on. People are measuring the lines as the dosage, not translating it to the correct dosage. I worry about vials of _our_ medications, that might be much stronger than some compounding pharmacies have been creating, causing even more overdoses. Some of the overdoses have been up to 40 times what they were supposed to take. That terrifies me! I see those of us with more health literacy teaching math and how to safely draw up the correct dosages. I also agree that Lilly and Nordisk see a threat to compounding pharmacies, but worry they can't sell the vials at the same cost. I wouldn't put it past them to do so, anyway. If there was some crazy magic wand that took all people using compounding pharmacies, that were able to suddenly be able to access the name brand products, there would be a shortage within moments like Lilly or Nordisk never imagined. And we... who need these meds to stay alive... would be the ones to suffer. Not the pharmaceutical companies.
Wise words as always - we included this in the news that dropped monday. There are alot of people confused by the milligrams, milliliters and units, and either not reading the instructions or not following them.
I have seen people drawing out more than the top dose, and conversely much less than the lowest dose. And yes people are not drawing out the right dose at times. There's really no way to control it. I just encourage people to read the directions and reach out to their providers if they have questions. And pray that the compounding pharmacies are allowed to continue.
Welcome back Ya’ll!! Thank you for this news report. Wouldn’t you know it, I just started compound, and have to pay out of pocket for whatever. The compound pharmacy made it much more accessible. I sincerely hope Lilly does right by patients. They can sponsor the 2024 Olympics and many of the events leading to it but can’t reduce prices? 😡
When health care and insurance was deregulated in the 80s and they became for profit businesses the entire industry became a mass grab for cash. We need to rethink the entire system and it will take regulation
Active ingredient: tirzepatide Tirzepatide is a novel dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Tirzepatide comprises a 39 amino acid linear synthetic peptide conjugated to a C20 fatty diacid moiety. Its protein sequence was based on the sequence of endogenous GIP, and its pharmacological action on GLP-1 receptors is comparable to endogenous GIP; however, the long half-life of tirzepatide allows for once-weekly dosing. Inactive ingredients: sodium chloride, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, and water for injection. Hydrochloric acid solution and/or sodium hydroxide solution may have been added to adjust the pH. Most analysts believe that the manufacture and cold chain are what slows volume. With the injector pens unnecessarily complicating the system.
Bernie is the best! He is right to open the investigation and to write fair pricing bills!
I am glad to see someone taking the entire system to task
Thank you Christopher you have really made me feel more comfortable about this situation. Praying that we continue to receive our medication.
My second post - thank you so much for your calm, organized, factual report on this issue. Many of the other sites I follow, have an hysterical quality to them. I’d do brand name in a heartbeat if it was affordable - I’m 70 years old-Medicare- no other health issues so it would be out of pocket - I did do it for a while- lowest price with GOODRx was $1100/mo. I have no issues with my current telehealth working with the pharmacy to add some B vitamins.( seems to be the default additive) as it Costs me $391/mo (I use Mochi as well - so that is membership +medication). Thanks so much for all your information sharing.
You are welcome - we use mochi as well
I am on Medicare and my plan pharmacy managed by Express Scripts (one of the BIG PBMs which is a HUGE ripoff) does NOT cover meds for weight loss. I started on compounded due to the HIGH price of the EL drugs. We are not even allowed to use the coupon code. :( I cannot afford $1000+ a month for this medication and frankly I don't know many people who can. Tirzpepatide, I believe, is saving my life. My liver is detoxing, and my autoimmune issues which cause inflammation are being controlled. The weight loss is a plus. So, I am hopeful that others like me will speak up and that Medicare will finally realize that if we control obesity which is proven to cause many expensive diseases that it is a Win Win. Prayerful!
We have the same hope!
Yes!! Express scripts is a joke!! They charge double what Walgreens/CVS charge. Total scam!
Thank you for this video! By far the most informative and measured presentation of the subject I have seen or read thus far. (and trust me, I have scoured the interwebs!). I like how you describe the processes and explain the steps for this situation! My insurance does not cover obesity drugs, and I can't afford name brand, so I am on compound tirzepatide. I actually prefer the compound because I can control my dose by titrating up way slower than the pens. Again, thank you for sharing, I feel mostly better about being able to stay on my medicine (I don't trust greedy big pharma). I am only on week 6 and have gone from 358 to 337 in that time. It's been the easiest, and frankly most wonderful experience losing weight in my 40+ years of adult life. I am not sure what I would do if I was forced to stop. Seriously... it causes high anxiety to think about it. ❤
Thank you for watching and the kind words. These medications have become critical to so many of us - we will continue to tell the stories and news, as it evolves
Thank you for this information, and your perspective! I would really hate to not be able to get tirzepatide, it has been life changing for me, like it has been for so many others. I wish I believed that the FDA would protect patients, and not allow Eli Lilly to take compounds off the market when they can't meet the demand. But I don't trust our regulatory agencies to protect citizens over corporations.
You’re welcome - Eli Lilly does not actually have the power to stop compounding. It would require regulatory action from the fda or patent enforcement from a court
@@thedownsized that makes sense...but I also have seen big corporations bully our system into working for them too many times to think they don't have any say!
Which is also possible but they do not have a army of obese people looking for their meds
Thank you Christopher for this information. Perhaps we can also call Sen Sanders' office since he is active on this issue.
Also a excellent idea - that goes to advocating
Great reporting, Christopher. I appreciate your calm and fact-based approach. I’m sure we will all be watching the August 8 Lilly quarterly earnings call with great interest.
Thanks
Rumor is they are going to distribute the vials of Mounjaro/Zepbound and claim no shortages.
That could be correct - it would certainly be an interesting spin
@@user-jb3bg9og7b that would be great!!! I just don't think it's gonna happen. This is a way to stop the compound suppliers.
Yeah, at what cost though. :/
My telehealth has already listed my prescription as containing niacin for my next refill
Interesting
It would be so nice if Medicare would cover these medicines for weight loss.
We absolutely agree.
Thank you so much for this very "balanced" perspective of the current events in the GLP-1 world!
Glad it was helpful!
I wonder if suddenly the 503A compounding pharmacies will say we all *need* B12 mixed in with our Tirzepatide in order to keep filling our scripts. I know Redrock and Hallendale don't add anything currently. Perhaps that will need to change if Lilly truly pulls this stunt. Welcome back from your trip; I just got home from my camping trip. My weight stalled - I just am not diligent about tracking when off my routine!
yes it will have to be something like that - the a need to have a something that makes it unique to the patient and not just. copy.
Yes it is much easier at home and on a routine.
@@thedownsized I really want to be on compound while on maintenance. I feel like going down a syringe unit to find my "sweet spot" would be easier than going down "a leap" via the pen.
@@MomOfSeven123there will still be compound
I heard from a patent attorney on another group that adding something like vitamins or changing the dose will definitely not cut it. That does not get around the patent. Vitamins are found as a separate supplement, so it does not change the nature or delivery of the medication for the individual.
I have seen that as well the compounding rules are pretty clear and they have been used for decades to by pass the patent law. Whether it’s vitamins or something else - doctors and pharmacists will figure it out. www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/section-503a-federal-food-drug-and-cosmetic-act
Went to the FDA site to let them know what is not available in all pharmacies out here in Bay City Tx
Excellent
Thanks Christopher. ❤
Tha know you for shar5 all your knowledge on this subject !
Well reported ty
Thanks! Happy to hear you liked it!
Thank you Christopher I really like your news format
I appreciate it
The FDA website shows all levels as available now.
Wow....they are moving Fast
Just dropped a short on it - basically saying the same thing!
Just called 2 different CVS's that say they don't have ANY Zepbound and can't order it.
@@thedownsized interesting about not being able to order.
FDA has removed all doses from the shortage list
Yep I posted a short on it just after this went live
I disagree. It is still showing a status of "Currently in shortage."
not sure what you are looking at but it is all showing available www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/dsp_ActiveIngredientDetails.cfm?AI=Tirzepatide%20Injection&st=c
Look at the individual listings for the doses
503A pharmacies will be impacted. They can only compound out of a shortage if there is a legitimate reason to do so (e.g. patient has an allergy to ingredients in branded).
You are correct. My best guess is the language of the FDA read is just ambiguous enough to keep the door open. Time will tell
Trump just announced he will be on this also!
Where did you see that?
I have one thing to say about the vials (and I have used compounded in this shortage as well, so no bias against them). As I write this, a lot of news is coming out about overdoses with people using the vials. I believe a lot of that is the different formulations of the semaglutide and tirzepatide in compounding pharmacies. People are taking incorrect dosages, over dosing, not the lowering of the dose or microdosing. So many people are not taught how to draw up the correct amount _for their vial_ and I see that all day long on videos and blogs that talk about the dose they are on. People are measuring the lines as the dosage, not translating it to the correct dosage. I worry about vials of _our_ medications, that might be much stronger than some compounding pharmacies have been creating, causing even more overdoses. Some of the overdoses have been up to 40 times what they were supposed to take. That terrifies me! I see those of us with more health literacy teaching math and how to safely draw up the correct dosages.
I also agree that Lilly and Nordisk see a threat to compounding pharmacies, but worry they can't sell the vials at the same cost. I wouldn't put it past them to do so, anyway. If there was some crazy magic wand that took all people using compounding pharmacies, that were able to suddenly be able to access the name brand products, there would be a shortage within moments like Lilly or Nordisk never imagined. And we... who need these meds to stay alive... would be the ones to suffer. Not the pharmaceutical companies.
Wise words as always - we included this in the news that dropped monday. There are alot of people confused by the milligrams, milliliters and units, and either not reading the instructions or not following them.
I have seen people drawing out more than the top dose, and conversely much less than the lowest dose. And yes people are not drawing out the right dose at times. There's really no way to control it. I just encourage people to read the directions and reach out to their providers if they have questions. And pray that the compounding pharmacies are allowed to continue.
Welcome back Ya’ll!! Thank you for this news report. Wouldn’t you know it, I just started compound, and have to pay out of pocket for whatever. The compound pharmacy made it much more accessible. I sincerely hope Lilly does right by patients. They can sponsor the 2024 Olympics and many of the events leading to it but can’t reduce prices? 😡
Thanks and as always excellent point.
Great job !
KEEP FIGHTING!
Thanks a ton! Let’s keep this momentum going and fight the good fight! 💪
@@thedownsized how comfortable should we be that 503a will be able to sustain what they now do
@@user-cu1ne7yw3fhard to say but most of the commonly mentioned compounding pharmacies are 503as
Thank you!!!!
I thought it was the pen thay were having trouble with ?
It does complicate the supply chain
Government regulation 😂. The lack of it is the reason we are priced out to begin with- not just glp med, either.
You are correct and that must change
How does our regulation affect the prices 6x the amount charged to other countries?
@@jackieanderson3820 the middle man- PBM
When health care and insurance was deregulated in the 80s and they became for profit businesses the entire industry became a mass grab for cash. We need to rethink the entire system and it will take regulation
@@thedownsized I’m
Sorry! I MISSED “the lack of it” part. I read too fast. I agree with you!
What are the ingredients of these drugs why do they have shortage
Active ingredient: tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a novel dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Tirzepatide comprises a 39 amino acid linear synthetic peptide conjugated to a C20 fatty diacid moiety. Its protein sequence was based on the sequence of endogenous GIP, and its pharmacological action on GLP-1 receptors is comparable to endogenous GIP; however, the long half-life of tirzepatide allows for once-weekly dosing.
Inactive ingredients: sodium chloride, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, and water for injection. Hydrochloric acid solution and/or sodium hydroxide solution may have been added to adjust the pH.
Most analysts believe that the manufacture and cold chain are what slows volume. With the injector pens unnecessarily complicating the system.
Lets hope!
The shortage is also related to the complex manufacturing of the injection pens. 🖊️
That is certainly a part of it - we have discussed that in detail as well