You know, we’re a community that loves a good deal and smart spending. But what about when what we’re “shopping” for is our health? That’s the conversation I want to have with you today.
You’ve probably heard a lot about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro. These drugs have been a game-changer for so many dealing with type 2 diabetes and obesity. But their sky-high price tags have also put them out of reach for a lot of people. It’s a classic dilemma: groundbreaking innovation, but at a cost that creates painful inequities. It makes me wonder, when will these life-changing drugs finally be affordable? When can we expect generic versions?
Weight Loss Encouragement Emails
The Waiting Game: Patent Expirations and the Future of Access
If you’ve ever waited for a hot designer handbag to go on sale, you know a thing or two about patience. The wait for generic GLP-1s is similar, but with much higher stakes. The reason these drugs are so expensive is because their manufacturers, like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, hold patents that give them exclusive rights to produce and sell them.
The good news is that generics are already starting to appear for some of the earlier GLP-1 drugs. Generic versions of liraglutide (the active ingredient in Victoza and Saxenda) are now available in the U.S. This is a huge step! But for the more recent and highly sought-after medications like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), the wait will be longer.
The primary patents for semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) are expected to expire in the U.S. in the early 2030s .
source of estimates
For tirzepatide (Zepbound/Mounjaro) , the earliest projected date is even later.
So while generics for some GLP-1s are here, we’ll have to wait several more years for the most popular ones to become widely available and affordable.
To extend their patent protection and block generic competition, pharmaceutical companies often use a strategy known as evergreening. This involves filing for new, secondary patents on minor modifications to a successful drug, even as the primary patent on its active ingredient is about to expire. These secondary patents can cover new formulations (like extended-release versions), different delivery methods (such as converting an injection to a pill), new dosages, or new uses for the drug. By securing these additional patents, companies can delay the market entry of more affordable generic alternatives for years, ensuring their market monopoly and high profits persist.
Semaglutide “compound patent should technically expire in March 2026, which is twenty years from when the patent was filed. However, the patent term on the main compound has been extended by over five years as a result of a Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) and a Patent Term Extension (PTE).”
source
Finding the Balance: Profit, Research, and Inequity
This waiting game is where we face a tough truth. The same corporate profits that we sometimes see as “profiteering” are what fund the research and development of new, innovative drugs. It’s a complex cycle: pharmaceutical companies pour billions of dollars into R&D, with the hope that a few of those projects will become blockbusters that recoup those costs and fuel future innovation. It’s a high-risk, high-reward business model.
However, this system also creates undeniable inequities. As the Initiative for Medicines, Access, and Knowledge (I-MAK) organization points out, the current high prices, enabled by patent-protected market exclusivity, put these life-saving drugs out of reach for many. People with lower incomes and marginalized communities, who experience higher rates of obesity and diabetes, are disproportionately affected. Limited insurance coverage and provider bias can leave those who need the drugs most with limited or no access.
It’s a heart-wrenching paradox. The profits that promise a future with new treatments are built on a foundation that excludes those who need help right now.
A Bridge to Affordability: The Rise of Compounded GLP-1s
But what about the here and now? Over the past few years, a different kind of market solution has popped up: compounded GLP-1 medications. Think of a compounding pharmacy as a custom dressmaker for medicine. When a commercially available drug is in shortage, they’re legally allowed to create a version of that drug for a specific patient.
During the widespread shortages of Ozempic and Wegovy, compounded versions offered a much more affordable option for people whose insurance didn’t cover the brand names. These drugs filled a huge market gap, bringing hope and access to countless individuals who felt like they were left behind.
The Legal Grey Area and Important Risks to Know
While this sounds like a perfect solution, it operates in a very legal grey area, and it’s essential to understand the risks. The FDA allows compounding pharmacies to produce copies of a drug only when the brand-name version is on the FDA’s official drug shortage list.
The legal complexity comes from the fact that the FDA has recently declared the shortages of semaglutide and tirzepatide officially resolved. This means that, technically, compounding pharmacies are no longer permitted to produce them on a large scale. However, many still do, citing ongoing supply issues or by slightly altering the formula to make it “not a copy” (for instance, by adding vitamin B12).
This practice has led to warnings from the FDA and lawsuits from pharmaceutical companies, primarily due to safety concerns. While compounding GLP-1 is legal as of writing this article, there are numerous challenges being made to it by big pharma and its long-term status is unclear. Here is a good article summarizing the issues: Out of Shortage, Into Controversy: The Fight Over GLP-1 Compounding.
What Can We Do While We Wait?
It’s a tricky path to navigate, but we can make informed choices.
- Be an Informed Patient: Talk to your doctor openly about your financial situation and your options. Ask about the potential risks and benefits of compounded drugs if you’re considering them.
- Educate your employer: Covering GLP-1s creates a win-win situation where employers potentially save on healthcare costs by investing proactively in employee health, leading to a healthier, more productive, and more engaged workforce. GLP-1 Insurance – Why Employers Should Cover GLP-1s
- Monitor your health care insurance: Insurance companies typically review and update their medicine coverage policies, known as formularies, on an annual basis at the start of a new plan year. However, they can and often do make changes more frequently, with some insurers’ Pharmacy and Therapeutics committees meeting as often as quarterly to review new drugs and market shifts.
- Advocate for Change: Support policies and organizations, like I-MAK, that are pushing for more equitable access to healthcare and for reforms that balance innovation with affordability for all.
Ultimately, the future of GLP-1s is a story of innovation, compassion, and our collective fight for a system that puts people’s health before profit. Let’s keep talking about it, because when we share our experiences, we can make a difference.
Disclaimers: Friends, I am not a medical professional, nor do I pretend to be one on the internet. This information is for educational purposes only, gathered from trusted sources and my personal experiences. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication or lifestyle. This post has links included that are affiliate links. Countess of Shopping & her furbabies will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking through the links at no cost to you.
