The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the end of a two-year shortage of tripeptide, significantly impacting the cost of popular weight-loss drugs. Tirzepatide, the key ingredient in medications like Zepbound and Mounjaro—commonly prescribed for weight loss and diabetes management—will see prices increase as supply stabilizes.
Over the past two years, many Americans turned to these medications to aid in weight loss, taking advantage of lower costs that emerged due to the shortage. Under federal law, when a drug is in short supply, compounding pharmacies are permitted to produce generic versions, often at a fraction of the retail price.
Currently, Mounjaro and Zepbound are priced around $1,100 per month without insurance. Although Eli Lilly, the manufacturer, provides discounts to alleviate costs, patients can still expect to pay between $500 and $650 monthly. In contrast, a one-month supply from a compounding pharmacy typically ranges from $200 to $400, making it a more budget-friendly option for many.
With the shortage now resolved, individuals relying on these weight-loss medications may face higher out-of-pocket expenses, as insurance may not cover the increased costs of the FDA-approved products. “Price is not a rationale for dispensing a compounded medication, but many patients were able to afford the compounded versions of tirzepatide, and they’re likely going to find the FDA-approved drug unaffordable,” Scott Brunner, CEO of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding, told CNN.
Meanwhile, other weight-loss medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which contain semaglutide, continue to face shortages and can still be produced by compounding pharmacies. However, switching between medications is not always feasible for every patient. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of both drugs, has indicated efforts to increase the supply of semaglutide but has not provided a timeline for when the shortage is expected to resolve.
As the market adjusts to the end of the tirzepatide shortage, patients and healthcare providers will need to navigate the implications of rising drug costs on weight management strategies.
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