GLP-1 receptor agonist shortage continues to impact diabetes care
Responsible prescribing and proper insurance coverage might be the key to balancing demand and supply (Issue #312, 1,103 words, 5.5 minutes)
Good morning, and welcome to the final issue of 2024 for the NPC Healthbiz Weekly e-newsletter from the National Pharmaceutical Congress and Chronicle Companies.
From everyone at Chronicle, we wish you and your families an enjoyable holiday break, and a fantastic 2025. This e-newsletter will return on Jan. 14th, 2025
GLP-1 receptor agonists, essential therapies for managing type 2 diabetes, have proven effective for treating obesity. However, off-label prescriptions for weight loss have strained product availability and created global shortages of GLP-1s for diabetic patients. Diabetes UK reports that the shortage forced healthcare providers to reserve available stocks for existing users, leaving many new patients unable to access these medications. According to CBS News, diabetic patients report month-long delays in obtaining medications, leading to increased risks of high blood pressure and hospitalizations.
As CBS News notes, this shortage underscores the growing tension between medical necessity and off-label use for weight loss. Regulatory guidance emphasizes prioritizing diabetic patients and discourages prescribing these medications outside their licensed indications. Yet, with increasing global obesity rates, demand for these drugs as weight management solutions continues to grow. Furthermore, Diabetes UK notes that the health implications of the shortage are severe. Inadequate access to GLP-1 receptor agonists can lead to poor blood glucose control in diabetic patients, increasing the risk of complications such as cardiovascular disease and neuropathy. The organization also notes that despite the improved availability of drugs such as Rybelsus and Mounjaro in the U.K. in late 2024, intermittent shortages of others, such as Ozempic and Trulicity, persist.
Economic considerations further complicate access to GLP-1 drugs. According to Fierce Healthcare, with annual costs of approximately US$10,000 per patient, insurers are hesitant to broadly cover these medications. An article in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy notes that pharmacy benefit managers often exclude anti-obesity drugs from standard plans, leaving coverage decisions to plan sponsors.
The journal adds that drug manufacturers should consider outcomes-based contracts to drive formulary adoption of high-cost diabetes and anti-obesity medications. These contracts, which link coverage and reimbursement to real-world performance, are gaining traction in European and other single-payer markets. This approach could balance affordability and long-term cost-effectiveness.
As the shortage gradually resolves, broader questions about the role of GLP-1 therapies in healthcare remain. Fierce Healthcare notes that the reclassification of obesity as a metabolic disease highlights the potential of these drugs as essential treatments rather than lifestyle aids. Advocates emphasize their effectiveness in reducing obesity-related comorbidities, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. However, skepticism persists regarding long-term cost-effectiveness and sustained health benefits, with insurers prioritizing non-pharmacological interventions such as fitness programs.
Diabetes UK reports that coordinated efforts across healthcare systems are critical to prevent future disruptions and shortages. Expanded insurance coverage, responsible prescribing practices, and enhanced production capacities are key to balancing demand and supply. Collaborative strategies between manufacturers, insurers, and policymakers will become essential to addressing these systemic issues to ensure all patients receive equitable and affordable access to GLP-1 medications.
THIS WEEK 12/17/24
Roche Canada successfully completed negotiations with the Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance for atezolizumab (Tecentriq SC). Tecentriq SC, a subcutaneous anti-PD-L1 cancer immunotherapy in Canada, offers faster administration and potential for at-home use for patients with lung and liver cancers.
Novartis Canada and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance reached an agreement for the public reimbursement of lutetium (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan injection (Pluvicto) for the treatment of adult patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
The U.S. FDA approved Organon’s tapinarof cream (Vtama) for the topical treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults and pediatric patients two years of age and older.
Checkpoint Therapeutics announced that the U.S. FDA has approved cosibelimab-ipdl (Unloxcyt) for the treatment of adults with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation.
NOW LISTEN UP: HERE’S KENNETH CUSTER OF ELI LILLY CANADA
In season 13 of the NPC Podcast, Tom Slowe, CEO of Breadcrumb Analytics, gives insights into using AI to sort and sift through statistics, the importance of context with data, and why AI should only be supplementary to human work. Hear him in conversation with podcast hosts Mitch Shannon, Jim Shea, and Mark McElwain.
CANADIAN HEALTHCARE MARKETING HALL OF FAME
The Canadian Healthcare Marketing Hall of Fame awards were established in 2002 to honour healthcare marketers who have contributed to our vocation and inspire others.
More than 100 honourees have been selected during the past 22 years. In the selection committee’s view, they represent a cross-section of the qualities that make our business unique and fulfilling. NPC Healthbiz Weekly will acknowledge the 2024 Hall of Fame Honorees over the next few weeks. Nominate a colleague for the 2025 Canadian Healthcare Marketing Hall of Fame by clicking here.
2024 Inductee
Evica Eric
Vice President, Finance & Business Operations
Lundbeck
Montreal
Sometimes, a chance opportunity can spark a lifelong passion. That was the case for Evica Eric, Vice President of Finance & Business Operations at Lundbeck Canada in Montreal, who entered the pharmaceutical industry unexpectedly. “I was drawn to the impactful work being done in healthcare and found a meaningful way to contribute,” she said. Lundbeck stands out as one of the world’s only biopharmaceutical companies focusing exclusively on brain diseases. “For more than 70 years, we've focused our research on neuroscience, collaborating closely with patients, healthcare professionals, and the neuroscience community to uncover causes and develop new treatments,” she explained. “As a global specialist, we owe it to those who live with brain diseases to fight stigma and improve parity of care across communities.”
Having been with the company for 26 years, she has achieved numerous career milestones. A key turning point was her transition from Commercial to Business Insights. “I developed the processes and frameworks needed to deliver critical insights to support business growth,” she said. “It was a rewarding challenge that underscored the importance of data-driven decision-making.”
In 2022, she had another career-defining moment, leading a significant initiative to de-couple operations from the U.S. affiliate, spanning various support areas with a particularly high focus on finance. “This transition allowed me to implement sustainable practices that ensured financial integrity and operational efficiency, reinforcing my commitment to building a robust foundation for business success.”
With Al set to reshape the pharmaceutical industry, she has proactively prepared by obtaining a certificate in Artificial Intelligence: Business Strategies and Applications from UC Berkeley. “This program gave me a deeper understanding of how Al can drive innovation and efficiency, which aligns perfectly with our corporate Al strategies,” she said. “Moving forward, I plan to integrate these learnings to develop localized strategies, ensuring that we not only follow corporate directives but also tailor them to maximize impact within our organization.”
Balancing a fulfilling career and personal life is a challenge for many professionals, and she sees notable contrasts between work cultures across continents. “For instance, in Denmark, where our corporate headquarters is based, there tends to be a stronger emphasis on work-life separation, whereas North America often leans toward a more relentless pursuit of career advancement,” she observed.
“While I haven't quite perfected this balance myself, I encourage my team to prioritize well-being, as
fostering a supportive culture is key to a healthier and more productive work environment.”
INTRODUCING DERMATOLOGY.BUSINESS and the DERMATOLOGY.BUSINESS DEEP DIVE PODCAST
Check out Dermatology.Business, the new newsletter from the same wonderful, supremely talented people who bring you NPC Healthbiz Weekly. Now, you can dive deeper into the Dermasphere with our supplemental podcast. Both are published every other Wednesday at precisely 6:00 a.m. EDT. Dermatology.Business has all the breaking news reported directly from the Dermasphere. Find it here and request your free subscription. Listen to the Dermatology.Business Deep Dive podcast is on the player below.
NEXT WEEK
It’s easy to get your no-charge subscription to NPC Healthbiz Weekly. We’ll send each issue to your phone or inbox at 6:00 a.m. sharp each Tuesday.
You are receiving this newsletter because you are a client of Chronicle Companies, attended a National Pharmaceutical Congress live event or webinar, or previously requested a subscription to one of our newsletters. If you no longer wish to subscribe to this newsletter, please email the subject line “Unsubscribe NPC Healthbiz” to health@chronicle.org.
NPC Healthbiz Weekly is published by Chronicle Companies, 701 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, N.Y. 14203. Canadian Office: 1460 The Queensway, Suite 212, Etobicoke, Ont. M8Z 1S4
Mitchell Shannon, Publisher; R. Allan Ryan, Editorial Director; John Evans, Joyce Pitters-Hands, Jeremy Visser, Editors; Cristela Tello Ruiz, New Business Development; Amy Elder, Intern; Shannon Abbott, Conferences Organizer.
Content is copyright (c) 2024, Chronicle LifeSci America Corp., except as indicated. Are you interested in contributing to this newsletter or learning about the Chronicle’s services? Please write to us at health@chronicle.org.
Thanks for reading NPC Healthbiz Weekly. Be sure to subscribe to receive new posts directly to your inbox.