I would add this country desperately needs PBM reform. It is unconscionable that Americans are paying so much more for these life-changing medications than other people in the developed world.
8 Likes
The biggest problem that I see here in regard to price gouging is allowing our ELECTED congress to participate in stock trading. Why is it that other countries have the opportunity to purchase the GLP-1 drugs at a much lower cost? US citizens pay so much higher prices because our government allows it AND congress members make more money on the stock market!
4 Likes
Empowering compounding pharmacies during times of shortages will not be enough. As a healthcare provider, even when itās not in shortage, I have seen many people who still cannot get the brand medication bc of how expensive they are. Compounding pharmacies should have the right now continue producing them always. This will make the market more free flowing. If your insurance covers it, great! If you want only brand name, great! But if you want a well made compounded option that is more affordable, citizens should have that right as well.
10 Likes
I donāt believe these drugs are the only option, but studies are needed. The research is obfuscated and suppressed, but lithia springs water might be a natural GLP-1 agonist. The Aversive Agent Lithium Chloride Suppresses Phasic Dopamine Release Through Central GLP-1 Receptors | Neuropsychopharmacology In addition, there may be a higher incidence of diabetes in lithium-responsive bipolar patients.
The relationship between bipolar disorder and type 2 diabetes: more than just co-morbid disorders - PubMed These two points together may indicate a pattern.
Maybe put a cap on this Mounjaro medications to only allow PBMs to only be allowed to charge no more than 5 times the cost of the ingredients used to make said drug. So if it costs them $100 to make no more than $500 could be suggested as the MSRP.
1 Like
Totally agree! Iām a Veteran and retired RN. Now that Iām on Medicare and Tricare For Life, I DO NOT receive insurance coverage or breaks in the price of weight loss meds, so Iām using a compounded pharmacy for tirzepatide. My endocrinologist told me I am Insulin Resistant. Gee, THANK YOU FOR MY SERVICE!
7 Likes
Itās kinda like student loans and college cost. Universities will continue to increase cost as long as there is funding to pay for it (students/parents taking out huge loans).
Insurance companies arenāt willing to go into debt so they just choose not to pay, which is a little good for leverage to force prices down but bad for patients that need the medication.
1 Like
10000000% agree!
1 Like
There are millions of Americans on compounded GLP-1. If it is taken away, what happens to these folks? People are on compound for one of two reasons: 1: no insurance coverage for name brand, or 2) they canāt get the name brand due to shortages.
Not having access to affordable life changing medication will cripple these individuals. Why is it that the same name brand costs hundreds (and I mean hundreds less) in the UK? We need reform now to make these meds affordable for all!
2 Likes
Compound tirzepatide literally save my life. I was not doing good at all and kept getting bigger and bigger. Iāve never been able to lose weight like I have the past 16 weeks Iām down 43 lbs, Iām off my blood pressure meds, all my inflammation is gone, I can move so much better and do things without getting winded right away. People need these meds and without compound itās just not affordable for people to go brand name. Keep compound around!
2 Likes
Right! My insurance doesnāt cover anything for weight loss except for bariatric surgery. If this was covered, along with dietitian and nutritionist visits (or affordable), the extreme surgeries wouldnāt be necessary. Why not stop before it becomes that dire? So many other health issues would be resolved!
2 Likes
I have lost weight so many times only to have failed and then gaining it all back. This medication has been a life-changing process in my life. I have never had a medication work to control the the issues that come with trying to lose the weight, the feeling of being out of control the feeling of not being able to control my mind and my body. But with this medication it has changed everything in my life, I think this medication is very expensive. It is not affordable or accessible for many. The name brand is often impossible to find locally no one should have to drive miles to get a medication that should be available at the pharmacy that a person uses since that statement is that there is no shortage. Itās a life-saving medication also in the same rank with a price that is very expensive and not accessible to many people. Something needs to be done. I feel that there is enough on the table for everyone compounding and Lilly , so that people can afford this medication to save their lives
2 Likes
As a morbidly obese, lifelong yo-yo dieter, Semaglutide saved my life quite literally. Not only am I alive, but I canāt even begin to explain how much of a positive effect it has had on my quality of life.
2 Likes
Not only is my compound far more affordable since my health insurance doesnāt cover the medicine, itās been easier to have my RX filled consistently without having to call multiple pharmacies to see if itās in stock or not. I also like that I have the option to choose my compound to be made with no preservatives for a longer shelf life. Only having the active needed ingredients is very important to me and not allowing the 503a pharmacy to be able to fill it takes away this choice for me. I donāt see why people canāt have access to this in this way, patent or not, since taxpayer money funded the development and research of this.
I found this. Sign it and spread the word