The news: There is no longer a shortage of Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide GLP-1 medication (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy), according to the FDA. Novo’s GLP-1 drugs have been in shortage since 2022. The FDA said its decision was made after confirming with Novo that it had product availability and manufacturing capacity to meet current projected demand in the US.
Why it matters: Compounded drugs can typically only be sold when the branded forms they’re mimicking are in shortage.
Unprecedented patient demand for GLP-1 weight loss drugs spearheaded a secondary market of telehealth companies, medical spas, and others to sell compounded versions.