The Ozempic madness is not about to stop. Marketed in many countries including France since 2019, this medication prescribed for type 2 diabetes continues to face stock shortages. “We have been experiencing a shortage for several months, patients who need them can no longer find this class of drugs and their diabetes is getting worse,” laments Professor Fabrizio Andreelli, endocrinologist at the Pitié Salpêtrière hospital (AP-HP , Paris).
In fact, tensions are such that since the end of last year, doctors have no longer been able to start new treatments with Ozempic for patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. A situation which the authorities believe is likely to continue for the rest of the year. less until June, according to our information. “The idea was to keep the products available for people already under treatment. But for the moment, our patients often have to go to several pharmacies. Some combine two injections to arrive at the prescribed dose and a minority temporarily reduce their doses, until their pharmacy is stocked”, also notes Dr Muriel Coupaye, endocrinologist at Louis-Mourier hospital in Colombes.
The main explanation for these supply difficulties is to be found in the explosion in global demand and the still insufficient production capacities of manufacturers. But non-diabetic people wishing to benefit from the weight-loss power of this molecule try to obtain it at all costs, even if it means using false prescriptions. Which can also increase tensions.
The active ingredient in Ozempic, semaglutide, mimics a hormone produced by the gut involved in blood sugar control and the release of insulin when blood glucose levels are high. But it also slows down the emptying of the stomach and thus reduces the appetite, causing significant weight loss. Around 10 to 15% in one year, according to the Danish laboratory Novo Nordisk, its manufacturer. The latter has also developed Wegovy, a drug also based on semaglutide, but intended for obese patients. Its main competitor, the American laboratory Eli Lilly which manufactures the anti-diabetic drug Mounjaro, has also launched its anti-obesity derivative (called Zepbound on the American market).
Prescriptions falsified, photocopied, reused
In France, only Ozempic is currently marketed. Wegovy received a favorable opinion in the treatment of obesity at the end of December, but it remains limited to the 10,000 very obese people with an associated disease who were able to benefit from early access. Mounjaro and Zepbound are still waiting. That leaves Ozempic, available with a classic prescription. And some take advantage of it. “Wherever they are authorized, semaglutide-based drugs normally reserved for people living with excess weight or type 2 diabetes are misused by people without excess weight and without diabetes,” regrets Professor Fabrizio Andreelli.
France is no exception to the rule. The authorities have already warned of the proliferation of falsified, photocopied and reused prescriptions. “It is difficult to trace prescriptions used several times, because pharmacies do not always centralize their data between them and people can go from pharmacy to pharmacy, even getting caught,” adds Professor Andreelli.
The extent of the phenomenon remains difficult to assess. Professor Jean-Luc Faillie, head of the regional pharmacovigilance center in Montpellier, responsible for monitoring Ozempic, studied more than 250 reports of falsified prescriptions spotted by community pharmacists. Often crude forgeries, with spelling mistakes, and many “prescribers” based in Ile-de-France, whose prescriptions were reused in other regions. But this could only be “the tip of the iceberg”, according to the specialist. “These are non-exhaustive observations based on statements from sensitive pharmacists, who were able to identify suspicious prescriptions and block the delivery of the medication,” he indicates.
Already in 2023, when there was no shortage of Ozempic yet, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) announced that the share of patients considered to be misusing had increased from 0.7% in May 2022 to 1.4% at the end of May 2023. Professionals are therefore trying to implement a protocol each time they encounter a suspicious prescriptionincluding saving video surveillance images of the passage of suspicious individuals if possible and filing a complaint with the police.
Because in addition to additional costs for social securitythese false prescriptions also seem to fuel resale trafficking on the black market. Several arrests have already taken place and investigations are underway. In the meantime, the situation is becoming so critical that fraudulent products are entering the market. “Some even reach wholesalers who distribute official pharmacies,” assures the endocrinologist. The European Medicines Agency itself warned, end of 2023, on the appearance of fake Ozempic injector pens, discovered in different countries of the Old Continent.
The benefit-risk in question for non-diabetics and non-obese people
To explain the rush for these drugs which allow such impressive weight loss, specialists point to the promotion of influencers who prick themselves in front of the camera on social networks and share their “before and after” photos showing the transformations. Not to mention testimonials from the stars Americans, like presenter Oprah Winfrey or tech mogul Elon Musk, who extol its merits. “In a world where self-image is sometimes essential, the use of these products is a godsend, but this “at all costs” is dangerous because it pushes the use of products that are not recommended or dangerous for certain categories of the population. “, accuses Professor Andreelli.
If the benefit-risk is in favor of Ozempic in diabetics or Wegovy in obese people, this is not the case for non-obese people who wish to easily lose a few extra pounds. Although its side effects are generally limited (nausea), ANSM warns against certain reactions, certainly rarer, but which can be potentially serious. Among them, gastrointestinal disorders, hypoglycemia, even acute pancreatitis which can occur even at low doses, biliary disorders or cases of severe constipation which can lead to intestinal obstruction, and therefore increased risk of thyroid cancer.
“And what happens if we start taking such molecules at a very young age, without excess weight or diabetes, will we be able to do without them? There is a certain risk of exhaustion of the effectiveness of the product over time, which would require taking more or stronger ones”, further advances Professor Andreelli, who is concerned about the effects on vulnerable people seeking physical recognition and potentially developing a addiction. In the meantime, doctors, but also the Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly laboratories, point out that reducing the weight of an obese person is based above all on comprehensive care, including appropriate dietary measures and physical exercise. regular and personalized support.
.