I agree with most of the points made here, but I see this as also exposing a critical failure of our health insurance and health care system. The market for these compounded drugs exists as a direct result of our inability to offer the name brand drugs at a price people can afford. Insurance companies continue to deny access to Ozempic etc unless you are diabetic. Yet, we also know that Ozempic/Wegovy is safe and effective for weight loss. Obesity is a major health crisis in the US yet we turn a blind eye to treating it.
Yes agree, came on here to say that I was prescribed this in May 2023 and my insurance did not cover Wegovy for weight loss which was devestating. I have since turned to Hers compounded semaglutide with my PCP knowing about it and being understanding. There is a bigger issue here with health insurance overall. People want to do the "right" thing and use the FDA drugs but the health insurance won't let them.
Agree. My DOCTOR prescribed me one of these when I met the requirement for weight loss but my INSURANCE decided that I wasn’t quite fat enough to pay for my treatment.
Totally agree with this point as the cost is very challenging for patients, and as you said insurance companies need to step up and even workplaces (e.g. offer real benefits to people). It is worth it for patients to check and see if there are patient support programs at the manufacturer as well as they can tap into the resources for coupons or discounted drug pricing or other programs depending on the individuals need or gap in insurance. It is tempting to say its cheaper to get compounded drug, but that comes at a risk if the compounding pharmacy is doing such an activity in unacceptably larger scale like that of a pharma manufacturer, but without being under the strict scrutiny of the FDA and other agencies. Its truly a complicated situation that needs to genuinely be tackled if we are going to move the needle on obesity and overall health in the US.
Yep good points. The complexity might be too much for the current political thinking. I do believe that compounding pharmacies can be licensed in general.
They have a place for sure and I know we used to produce very specialized patient drugs through them that were lifesaving. I will never take that away as I am grateful they existed for this function!!
I would argue that this is one of the bigger stones that caused the avalanche of distrust. We let lobbyists legislate law and the drug advertisement was allowed. One of many examples. Medical professionals and regulation are conflated with supplements and snake oil salesmen. Profit has no place in healthcare. From drugs to treatment.
When I was younger I actually knew my doctor, and they knew me. Profits have pushed that relationship to non existent. Is it any wonder no one trusts established medicine when they don’t have any personal relationships? Internet strangers asking the same questions seem like allies in lieu of a trusted doctor. That’s just basic human psychology. Now we have the evolution of that in the Super Bowl commercial. Tons of wellness profiteers. Sadly, I don’t think the truth has any power. Not without a real person in your life to give it to you. We need a holistic approach starting with a personal relationship. A few will connect to these socials. Without a return to care in the field of medicine, this will keep turning away. And there’s no profit in care.
As a physician I see my patients suffering from the disease of obesity and unable to spend half their monthly income for the medication which would help them . The crime is in the pharmacy companies who are pricing the medication above what the average patient can afford. And those who are makong a profit from this disease.
Help me understand how compounding pharmacies even get the semaglutide to make the compounded drug. Is there no patent on the molecule used in the branded drugs? I swear I’ve seen ads that state it’s the same active ingredient in XYZ.
I agree with most of the points made here, but I see this as also exposing a critical failure of our health insurance and health care system. The market for these compounded drugs exists as a direct result of our inability to offer the name brand drugs at a price people can afford. Insurance companies continue to deny access to Ozempic etc unless you are diabetic. Yet, we also know that Ozempic/Wegovy is safe and effective for weight loss. Obesity is a major health crisis in the US yet we turn a blind eye to treating it.
Yes agree, came on here to say that I was prescribed this in May 2023 and my insurance did not cover Wegovy for weight loss which was devestating. I have since turned to Hers compounded semaglutide with my PCP knowing about it and being understanding. There is a bigger issue here with health insurance overall. People want to do the "right" thing and use the FDA drugs but the health insurance won't let them.
Agree. My DOCTOR prescribed me one of these when I met the requirement for weight loss but my INSURANCE decided that I wasn’t quite fat enough to pay for my treatment.
Totally agree with this point as the cost is very challenging for patients, and as you said insurance companies need to step up and even workplaces (e.g. offer real benefits to people). It is worth it for patients to check and see if there are patient support programs at the manufacturer as well as they can tap into the resources for coupons or discounted drug pricing or other programs depending on the individuals need or gap in insurance. It is tempting to say its cheaper to get compounded drug, but that comes at a risk if the compounding pharmacy is doing such an activity in unacceptably larger scale like that of a pharma manufacturer, but without being under the strict scrutiny of the FDA and other agencies. Its truly a complicated situation that needs to genuinely be tackled if we are going to move the needle on obesity and overall health in the US.
Yep good points. The complexity might be too much for the current political thinking. I do believe that compounding pharmacies can be licensed in general.
They have a place for sure and I know we used to produce very specialized patient drugs through them that were lifesaving. I will never take that away as I am grateful they existed for this function!!
I would argue that this is one of the bigger stones that caused the avalanche of distrust. We let lobbyists legislate law and the drug advertisement was allowed. One of many examples. Medical professionals and regulation are conflated with supplements and snake oil salesmen. Profit has no place in healthcare. From drugs to treatment.
When I was younger I actually knew my doctor, and they knew me. Profits have pushed that relationship to non existent. Is it any wonder no one trusts established medicine when they don’t have any personal relationships? Internet strangers asking the same questions seem like allies in lieu of a trusted doctor. That’s just basic human psychology. Now we have the evolution of that in the Super Bowl commercial. Tons of wellness profiteers. Sadly, I don’t think the truth has any power. Not without a real person in your life to give it to you. We need a holistic approach starting with a personal relationship. A few will connect to these socials. Without a return to care in the field of medicine, this will keep turning away. And there’s no profit in care.
As a physician I see my patients suffering from the disease of obesity and unable to spend half their monthly income for the medication which would help them . The crime is in the pharmacy companies who are pricing the medication above what the average patient can afford. And those who are makong a profit from this disease.
Help me understand how compounding pharmacies even get the semaglutide to make the compounded drug. Is there no patent on the molecule used in the branded drugs? I swear I’ve seen ads that state it’s the same active ingredient in XYZ.