Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Harmony
Hub Health, where my mission is
to provide comprehensive,affordable, integrative care
that addresses the root cause ofhealth issues.
At the Hub, the focus is onindividual patient journeys.
I strive to optimize health,vitality and longevity,
fostering a community where eachperson can thrive in body, mind
and spirit.
(00:21):
Breaking news so the FDAdeclared semaglutide and
trisepatide shortages to be over.
And what does this mean forcompounding pharmacies?
(00:43):
Recently, the FDA announcedthat the shortages of
semaglutide and trizepatide areofficially over, largely based
on NovoNordisk's assurances thattheir production capacity can
sufficiently meet both currentand projected nation demand.
But what does that mean forpatients who have been using
compounded variations of thesemedications?
(01:05):
And why is Novo Nordisk makingsuch bold claims?
We're going to break that downin this podcast.
So there are several reasonswhy they may want to make this
strategic statement.
One is to restore consumerconfidence.
By declaring that the shortageis over, novo Nordisk aims to
reassure healthcare providersand patients that they can
(01:29):
access semaglutide anddrosepatide consistently.
This is really important forrebuilding trust after prolonged
shortages.
The pharmaceutical giant alsowants to maintain a market
position, so if patients feelconfident that they can access
the branded medications withoutinterruptions, then they may be
less likely to turn tocompounding pharmacies for
alternatives, and announcingthat supply issues are resolved
(01:52):
can positively impact stockprices.
Investors appreciate stability,and good news about product
availability can really bolsterconfidence in the company's
performance.
So both of these medicationsare newer entries in the GLP-1
class.
Semiglutide was approved in2017.
(02:13):
Enterzepatide was approved in2022.
And they are still under patentprotection and the active
ingredients are not available tocompounding pharmacies.
The FDA typically restrictscompounding pharmacies from
producing any medication that isstill under patent and widely
available in commercialformulations, which is the case
(02:33):
for semaglutide and trizepatide.
But for those who have relied oncompounding pharmacies during
the shortage, this announcementpresents a very mixed bag.
So you know, if patients feelassured that semaglutide and
trisepatide are back on theshelves, they may shift back to
brand name products, leading todecreased business for
compounding pharmacies.
(02:54):
This could limit options.
For those who do preferpersonalized care or specific
formulations, so there isreduced demand for compounded
versions.
When there is an abundance ofthe brand name and with the
return to supply stability,prices at compounding pharmacies
can fluctuate.
So if fewer people are usingcompounded semaglutide or
(03:16):
trisepatide, pharmacies mightadjust their pricing to stay
competitive.
And while the announcement isencouraging, there is a lot of
skepticism me involved, becausenumber one, it's the historical
inconsistency.
Many patients have experiencedthe yo-yo of shortages before,
leading to distrust in theassurances provided by these
(03:38):
pharmaceutical companies.
Past claims of resolvingshortages have fallen flat,
making some question whetherthis time is going to be any
different or if they are stillnot being honest.
It's estimated that around 20%of those using GLP-1 medications
, including semaglutide andtrisepatide, are sourcing them
(03:59):
from compounding pharmacies.
So this demonstrates that thereis a significant number of
patients that still rely onthese alternatives, especially
those who have experienceddifficulties with access to
brand name medications.
And just because a product isdeclared available does not mean
that everyone can get it.
There's factors of insurancecoverage, of where the pharmacy
(04:21):
is located.
Personal financial situationscan also impact your ability to
obtain them from thesetraditional sources.
So, for patients currently onthese GLP-1s, like semaglutide
or trisepatide, or if you'reconsidering to starting one of
them, here's what you have tokeep in mind.
The first is, you know, thosethat have relied on compounded
(04:45):
versions may have to reconsidertheir options.
If they decide to switch backto the brand name products.
They should discuss this withtheir healthcare provider to
ensure that there is a smoothtransition.
Also, some patients might stillprefer compounded medications
for various reasons.
It could be dose adjustments.
You know the commercialversions come in fixed dose pens
(05:07):
and me personally, I domicrodose people that they get
much lower or they get inbetween doses and you can't get
that right now.
There's also different deliverymethods.
So some people don't like aneedle.
You can also get thesemedications in oral delivery it
so some people don't like aneedle.
You can also get thesemedications in oral delivery.
(05:28):
There's some that go under thetongue and you know personal
experiences with side effectshave happened.
So the need for compoundingpharmacies will likely persist
even if mainstream optionsbecome more available and when
you switch back to brand namesemaglutide or trisepatide.
And when you switch back tobrand name semaglutide or
trisepatide, patients need to bevery vigilant about any changes
in how they feel.
It is essential to communicateany side effects or concerns
(05:52):
with healthcare providers toadjust treatment plans
accordingly.
My biggest concern is are theycrying wolf?
It's the big pharma conundrum.
Are the manufacturers reallybeing honest about the end of
the shortage?
Are they just crying wolf?
It's a fair question to ask.
Because of the history,pharmaceutical companies tend to
(06:14):
play their cards close to theirchest and sometimes their
announcements seem more likewishful thinking than reality.
And why would they do that?
Here, I think, is where it getsjuicy.
So the big pharmaceuticalcompanies stand to gain a lot
from maintaining a sense ofscarcity around their products.
So when there's a shortage,prices can spike.
The companies can charge apremium, knowing that desperate
(06:37):
patients will pay almostanything to get their hands on
the medication.
This can lead to inflatedprofits, which is a major
incentive for them to manipulatethe narrative around supply,
and by creating a perception oflimited availability, companies
can maintain their marketdominance.
This makes it harder forgeneric versions to enter the
market, keeping consumersreliant on their brand name
(06:59):
product.
And when pharmaceuticalcompanies announce shortages, it
can lead to short-term spikesin stock prices due to increased
demand.
So investors love a good story,and if it means more money in
their pockets, the truth cansometimes become a casualty.
And why is it bad anyway forgenerics Like?
(07:20):
Why is it so bad to have ageneric version of these
medications available to thepublic?
Wouldn't it be better foreveryone if there were cheaper,
accessible options?
Well, generic versions ofmedications can significantly
lower costs for consumers.
So if semaglutide andtrisepatide had generic
alternatives, patients couldaccess these life-changing
(07:40):
medications without breaking thebank.
It's simple economics like morecompetition, leads to lower
pricing.
With generics, more people canafford the medications they need
, which is particularlyimportant in the context of
rising obesity and diabetesrates.
The more people that can affordtreatment, the better the
overall public health.
While pharmaceutical companiesargue that the high prices fund
(08:04):
research and innovation, havinggenerics can encourage more
companies to invest in newtreatments.
A healthier competitivelandscape can lead to
advancements that benefit prettymuch everyone.
But in the end, theannouncement that the shortage
of semaglutide and trisepatidebeing over raises more questions
to me than answers.
(08:24):
So are companies genuinelyaddressing the supply issues or
are they playing a dangerousgame of market manipulation?
Why aren't generics morereadily available to help people
access these crucialmedications?
As patients navigate theirweight loss journeys, it is
important to be aware of thebigger picture and not just the
(08:45):
numbers on the scale.
So as you consider your optionswhether sticking with
compounding pharmacies orwaiting for the latest
announcement from thepharmaceutical giants stay
informed and advocate for yourhealth.
You do deserve access toaffordable treatments without
the stress of shortages orinflated prices, which is what
(09:07):
really led, you know, so manypeople to flock to compounding
pharmacies.
To begin with, it's thecustomization, because you can
tailor medications to suitindividual needs, whether that
means adjusting dosages,changing formulation or even
creating a more palatableversion of a medication.
And when pharmaceuticalcompanies drop the ball on
(09:27):
supply, compounding pharmaciescan step in, fill the gap,
making sure more patients haveaccess to the medications they
need.
And many patients report ahigher level of service and
support from compoundingpharmacies, which makes a world
of difference on a weight lossjourney.
Then we have to talk aboutdollars and cents, so the price
of these GLP-1 medications arevery steep.
(09:50):
Semiglutide and trisepatide cancost upwards of $1,000 to
$1,200 a month without insurance, and compounding pharmacies
sometimes offer thesemedications at a lower price
point, making them moreaccessible to those who are
paying out of pocket.
But will insurance companiesfinally get on board and start
covering these medications?
(10:11):
Only time will tell.
I'm going to say probably not.
The pharmaceutical industry isnotoriously slow to change, and
patients may be left in limbofor quite a while.
So the announcement thatsemaglutide and trisepatide are
no longer in shortage isCertainly welcome news, but it's
really crucial to remaincautious.
(10:33):
The reality is that, for manypatients, compound medications
will still play an essentialrole in their treatment plan and
, you know, without a reliablealternative, patients may not
have other options in theirweight loss journey.
And for those that are still ontheir weight loss journey, the
news really is like that a mixedbag.
(10:55):
The popularity of GLP-1medications really has
skyrocketed.
As of 2023, it's estimated thatover 3 million people in the
United States are currentlyusing GLP-1s, including
semaglutide and trisepatide, anda significant portion of these
users are turning to compoundpharmacies because of the
(11:15):
ongoing shortages andpersonalized care they often
provide.
As many as 20% of GLP-1 usersare estimated to be getting
their medications fromcompounding pharmacies, so that
really highlights the importantroles that these facilities play
in patient care.
So what do you do?
What do you do if you'recurrently on semaglutide or
tricepidide and your insurancedoes not cover them?
(11:37):
What if you don't have $1,000or $1,200 a month to pay for
them?
Well, luckily for you, harmonyHub Health is here to the rescue
.
Not only do I have more than 20weight loss programs utilizing
different nutraceuticals andprescriptions, I have access to
a dozen compounding pharmaciesthat I've been preparing for
this day for a very long time.
Luckily, they are allowed tocontinue to produce the
(12:00):
compounds through April and,being that they're ongoing
lawsuits, they are estimatingthat the time frame to be able
to compound semaglutide andtrisepatide are going to be
extended for quite a while.
But even if it's not, thesepharmacies have been preparing
for those that really love theinjectable GLP-1s and have had
(12:24):
great success, which, as long asyou're with a great provider,
you can have amazing,sustainable long-term effects.
But there is another option thatwe have at Harmony Hub Health
and that is liraglutide.
So liraglutide is an olderGLP-1 agonist, so it's been
available on the market since2010 under the brand names like
(12:47):
Victoza and Saxenda, because itis a well-established profile
and it is available in variousformulations.
Compounding pharmacies cancreate this custom formulation
of liraglutide, tailoringdosages and delivery methods to
meet individual patient needs.
Given its history andestablished presence on the
market, compounded liraglutidecan be produced without
(13:09):
infringing on patents or marketexclusivity.
This allows compoundingpharmacies to offer it as a
customized solution for patientswho may need a specific dose or
formulations, and compoundingpharmacies can adjust dosages of
liraglutide to createpersonalized treatment plans.
This is really beneficial forpatients who require lower or
(13:31):
higher doses than thoseavailable in commercial
formulations.
Compounding pharmacies canoften provide liraglutide at a
lower cost than brand nameoptions, making it more
accessible for many patients,and insurance coverage for
compounded medications can vary,but some patients find it
easier to obtain coverage forcompounded options.
(13:53):
So, for those of you stillnavigating the winding road of
weight loss, remember that everyindividual's journey is unique,
whether you opt for mainstreammedications, compounded options
or a combination of both.
What's most important isfinding the right fit for your
lifestyle and your health goals.
And if you're curious aboutliraglutide, don't hesitate to
(14:14):
check out Harmony Hub Health,because I have you covered.
So keep your chin up, weighyour options and remember the
journey to health is never astraight line, but with the
right support, you candefinitely get there.
Happy weight loss, friends.
Oh, and just a quick note, theinformation shared on this
podcast is for educationalpurposes only and should not
(14:37):
replace professional medicaladvice.
Always consult your healthcareprovider before making any
changes to your health routine.
What works for one person maynot work for everyone, and we
don't endorse any specificproducts or treatments mentioned
.
By listening, you accept thatyou're responsible for your own
health decisions.
If you enjoyed this episode,please subscribe, rate and
(14:57):
review me.
Your support helps me continuedelivering valuable content.
So thank you for listening.
You can reach me atwwwharmonyhubhealthcom.
You can also find me atFacebook, on the page of Harmony
Hub Health, or contact medirectly.
You can email me at michelleM-I-C-H-E-L-E at
harmonyhubhealthcom.