Bernie Targets GLP-1 Drugs; Top 5 Reasons Users Discontinued Semaglutide

GLP Digest: A weekly roundup of the most important news & research related to GLP-1 drugs. We read through hundreds of articles, reports and journals so you can remain up-to-date.

In today’s digest:

1. Bernie Sanders is targeting Ozempic, Wegovy and other GLP-1 drugs

2. Two-thirds of users discontinued semaglutide within a year. Here are the top 5 reasons why.

3. Federal judge greenlights lawsuit against Ozempic

4. Another potential benefit discovered: GLP-1 drugs might also aid Sleep Apnea

5. [Premium] The first reported link between Semaglutide and Rhabdomyolysis: peer-reviewed Case Report

1. Bernie Sanders Targets High Costs of GLP-1 Drugs in U.S. Versus Abroad

Senator Bernie Sanders, as Chair of the Senate Health Committee, is spearheading a crucial hearing that will delve into the alarming disparity in the pricing of diabetes drugs between the United States and other countries. This hearing is a critical step in Sanders' ongoing campaign to challenge and potentially reform the high healthcare costs in the U.S., with a current focus on the GLP-1 class of drugs, including notable names like Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs, essential in managing Type 2 diabetes and related health issues, showcase a dramatic price difference across borders: Ozempic's monthly list price in the U.S. stands at a steep $936, in stark contrast to just $169 in Japan, while Wegovy is priced at $1,349 in the U.S., nearly quadruple Germany's $328. This hearing aims to unearth the reasons behind these significant price gaps and to address the resulting financial strain on American patients.

This hearing signals a potential paradigm shift in how drug pricing is approached in the U.S. healthcare system. The biotech and pharmaceutical industries face a critical juncture where they might need to adjust their pricing strategies in response to increasing regulatory scrutiny and public pressure. This scenario could lead to a more regulated environment, with potential caps on drug prices or mandates for price alignment with international standards. The hearing might also spark a broader discussion on the balance between pharmaceutical innovation and affordability, emphasizing the need for sustainable business models that do not compromise patient access to essential medications.

Our Take:

This Senate hearing, championed by Sanders, is set to cast a spotlight on the critical issue of drug pricing in the U.S., particularly for diabetes medications. It presents an opportunity for the pharmaceutical industry to reassess and potentially recalibrate its pricing strategies, aligning more closely with global pricing norms. The outcome of this hearing could pave the way for new policies and regulations that shape the future of drug pricing in the U.S. Consequently, companies that proactively adapt to these changes, focusing on patient-centric and cost-effective solutions, are likely to emerge as leaders in the field.

Read the full article here.

2. Top 5 Reasons That Two-Thirds of Users Discontinued Semaglutide Within a Year

According to an analysis by Prime Therapeutics, over two-thirds of patients prescribed Ozempic or Wegovy discontinue usage within a year, despite their benefits in weight loss and health improvements. These drugs, such as semaglutide, are designed to suppress hunger hormones, but their discontinuation led to rapid weight regain and the return of previously managed health issues like diabetes, increased blood sugar, joint problems, and cardiovascular diseases.

The cessation of these medications results in lost health benefits, highlighting the complex challenge of managing obesity long-term. Here are the top factors contributing to this high discontinuation rate.

Reasons for Discontinuation

1. High Cost and Limited Insurance Coverage: The expensive monthly costs of these medications (ranging from $1,000 to $1,400) and inadequate insurance coverage lead to high out-of-pocket expenses, influencing people to stop taking them.

2. Supply Shortages: Persistent supply shortages of obesity medications like Wegovy and Ozempic make it difficult for many users to consistently access these drugs.

3. Adverse Side Effects: Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and more severe effects such as pancreatitis, gastroparesis, and bowel obstruction prompt some users to discontinue the medication.

4. Discomfort with Injections: The requirement for weekly self-injections is a deterrent for some, due to discomfort, inconvenience, or needle phobia.

5. Short-term Use and Unrealistic Expectations: Some individuals start these medications with short-term weight loss goals or unrealistic expectations about their efficacy without lifestyle changes, leading to eventual discontinuation.

Our Take

The high discontinuation rate of obesity medications like semaglutide underscores a crucial challenge in the treatment of obesity: balancing efficacy, side effects, cost, and patient adherence. For the biotech and pharma industries, this reveals a significant opportunity to develop more accessible, cost-effective, and patient-friendly obesity treatments. Additionally, for investors, the demand for better obesity management solutions presents a promising area for investment, especially in innovations that address the current barriers to long-term medication adherence.

Read the full article here.

3. Federal Court Greenlights Lawsuit Against Novo Nordisk Over Ozempic

In a pivotal development for the GLP-1 industry, a Louisiana federal judge has allowed Jaclyn Bjorklund's lawsuit against Novo Nordisk to proceed, challenging the company's safety warnings about the diabetes drug Ozempic. U.S. District Judge James Cain Jr. found sufficient grounds for Bjorklund's claim regarding inadequate information on gastroparesis risks, although her breach of express warranty claim was dismissed with the option to refile.

Despite Novo Nordisk's stance that Ozempic's side effects are well-documented and the lawsuit is meritless, Bjorklund and nearly 20 other plaintiffs allege severe side effects from Ozempic and similar drugs. The Morgan & Morgan law firm, representing these cases, is pushing for the consolidation of these lawsuits, citing an investigation into over 10,000 related claims. This decision marks a critical point in pharmaceutical litigation and underscores the importance of diligent risk communication by drug manufacturers.

Our Take

The court's decision to allow the lawsuit against Novo Nordisk to advance highlights the growing legal challenges faced by pharmaceutical companies over drug safety and patient information. This trend could lead to more rigorous standards for drug safety disclosures, impacting how companies in the biotech and pharma sectors market and develop new products.

Read the full article here.

4. GLP-1 Drugs Might Also Aid Sleep Apnea

We’ve written previously about anti-obesity drugs showing the potential to help with alcohol use disorder.

In a remarkable new development, GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic are also showing promise in not just managing diabetes and obesity but also in improving sleep quality. This potential benefit is exemplified in the case of Jeannine Manning, who, after starting Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and weight management, experienced significant weight loss and a notable improvement in her sleep apnea symptoms.

Previously reliant on a CPAP machine, Manning found that with weight loss, her sleep apnea and snoring substantially reduced, eliminating her need for the machine. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the most common form of sleep apnea, is often exacerbated by factors like obesity, and the reduction of fat tissue in the neck and abdominal area through weight loss seems to alleviate symptoms.

Experts like Sethu Reddy, MD, president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, are not surprised by the result given the link between obesity and breathing mechanics. However, Reddy & others note the need for further research prior to prescribing GLP-1 meds for OSA.

Our Take

The potential benefits related to GLP-1 drugs keep growing. This new development opens a new potential therapeutic avenue for GLP-1 agonists beyond their traditional use in diabetes and obesity management. This also represents an opportunity to support new research and development in the area of sleep, potentially leading to expanded indications for these drugs. As sleep apnea is a common but often underdiagnosed condition linked with serious health risks, the prospect of treating it through weight management and possibly direct pharmacological effects could revolutionize treatment approaches and broaden the market for GLP-1 based therapies.

Read the full story here.

5. Link Between Semaglutide and Rhabdomyolysis Identified in Peer-Reviewed Literature

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