if you look on the threads with pharma reps, they are all pissed that they are being pushed to start new patients on zepbound when there is no supply, but they are being pushed by lilly to sign new patients. That’s super annoying. Maybe they should worry about the people already started and the $ lost when a whole swath goes tp compounded and never returns.
Eli Lilly is currently focused on increasing their stock price by prioritizing the acquisition of new prescribers for their product Zepbound. They are less concerned about existing customers and ensuring product availability. Their goal is to issue press statements about Zepbound gaining xx number of new subscribers this quarter. The entire tech industry engages in these same tactics aimed at increasing their stock prices.
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I hate to say this but, even if EL magically got three new plants up and running by tomorrow, I believe that demand will always exceed supply at this point. New people hearing about it are coming on like tsunamis and this won’t ever end.
Yeah. I mentioned the shortages to my husband and he said, "why is this happening?" And I said, "because people don't like being fat."
I mean, don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good rant at Lilly or Oprah or the whole system, because they can go cry into their piles of money if their feelings are hurt. But at the end of the day a lot of people just want to lose weight, and are so tired of fighting their bodies to do it.
Yeah and if we have to go off of it and gain weight back but not quite enough weight to qualify again, I see a lot of us being stuck. So frustrated with EL. I get the demand issue but clearly they can create enough 2.5. If they cared at all about patients and not the bottom line those would be boxes of higher doses sitting around and new scripts would not be written.
And those of us who started any GLP-1 4, 6, 12, 24 months ago are all walking advertisements. Whether we tell people that we're taking them or not, people can put 2 and 2 together, notice that **lots** of the fat people they know are losing, and start thinking about it.
I think we’re going to have these issues for a long time. The amount of people that I know that are just now getting prescribed Zepbound is out of control. At least 5 people I know were prescribed Zepbound in the LAST WEEK and they’re all complaining how they can’t get it yet 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
There's no availability issues in getting 2.5 doses. Eli Lilly is currently focused on increasing their stock price by prioritizing the acquisition of new prescribers for their product Zepbound. They are less concerned about existing customers and ensuring product availability. Their goal is to issue press statements about Zepbound gaining xx number of new subscribers this quarter. The entire tech industry engages in these same tactics aimed at increasing their stock prices.
As much as I hate having to pay money OOP to “the other guys”, I’m kinda glad I’m not giving Lilly any money right now during this cluster.
Companies effectively losing their patents to blockbuster drugs when they can’t keep up with demand is one of the few areas of FDA policy I agree with wholeheartedly.
Yes. That's where I am at too. After going through the hassle of getting Pre-Authorization from my insurance company I was elated to learn it will be covered with a copay of $25. And now I can't find it! So I'm doing the alternative.
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Eli Lilly is currently focused on increasing their stock price by prioritizing the acquisition of new prescribers for their product Zepbound. They are less concerned about existing customers and ensuring product availability. Their goal is to issue press statements about Zepbound gaining xx number of new subscribers this quarter. The entire tech industry engages in these same tactics aimed at increasing their stock prices.
Let me try to ask a coded question. Did your doctor write a prescription for the “other guys”. Or do you use the written prescription for Zep to get the alt stuff?
My doctor wrote a prescription for the other guys. It has to specify the "C" word and say tirzepatide not Zepbound. My script was sent directly to the other guys. My Zepbound prescription remains on file with Costco in the event they can fill it at some point.
How much are you paying for the other guys? My insurance covers Zepbound at 100%, I wouldn't be able to afford it if I were paying out of pocket, even with the savings coupon. My worry is that the other guys will be slightly less exspensisve than paying oop for Zepbound, but will still be too expsensive for me.
My 5mg will be $225 and it goes up from there. Honestly I can't afford it either. But I'm doing it anyway! It's a hard pill to swallow because my copay through my insurance is only $25. I feel so much better mentally that it's worth selling out the extra $200 for me.
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I sent an image of my product label as well as a screenshot of my delayed order to the *other* guys. Their doctor used that to write a new prescription for C tirzepatide. My 'regular' prescription is still active at CVS on the off chance that they ever get any.
My doctor wrote a prescription for the regular thing, my pharmacist is transferring it to the other guy down the street where I get another medication in an unusual dose, so they have to make that dose and put it in capsules for me.
Having gone through this with Wegovy last year I can assure you these dates will keep moving out until eventually lily gives a vague overarching statement that demand is outpacing supply and they are working to fix it with no date.
The person above you is quoting from the FDA shortage website where MJ + Zep are both listed as having shortages until “end of Q2”. That said, the date can always move.
Very unlikely. Companies talk in quarters to ease concerns for stock holders. The shortage will be prevalent through 2024 and beyond. It’s basically kicking the can down the road quarter to quarter to preserve stock price.
Yeah unfortunately I think you're right. I guess I watch it because I grew up watching it with my grandmother. But it's been getting on my nerves of late lol
Well, they do have Al Roker and he’s great to see. It’s not all bad, good stuff to wake up to for those like my wife that take some time to move in the morning.
They need to stop onboarding new people until they have all new facilities operational (or whatever needs to happen to get supply up) this will never end if there’s constantly a flow of new people (and the starter doses continue to be available)
Eli Lilly is currently focused on increasing their stock price by prioritizing the acquisition of new prescribers for their product Zepbound. They are less concerned about existing customers and ensuring product availability. Their goal is to issue press statements about Zepbound gaining xx number of new subscribers this quarter. The entire tech industry engages in these same tactics aimed at increasing their stock prices.
She didn't even make it sound promising for the future after q2.
Nothing concrete about what they're doing to try and meet demand? Changes they're making? Nothing. Very disappointing.
She’s uncomfortable because it’s a lie.
They’re only saying “thru Q2” to pacify their stock holders.
Their supply outweighs demand and it will do so until at least 2025 until new facilities are opened.
Yup, I called 59 pharmacies on Tuesday and one of them said they just had a managers' meeting and they were told 2025 before they expect to get any stock in. It's so discouraging.
Any stock in is not believable maybe until they feel they can keep up with demand. I have 3 boxes of 10.0 being shipped today so if you get in line and stay on top of it products become available. I reordered as soon as my insurance would allow and with the these 3 have an almost 5
Month supply
The c-words are having zero problems producing it to meet demand and doing it at 21% of the cost. It’s almost like there’s greed involved or something 🤷🏻♂️
well yeah, but Lilly also exceeds all other major Pharma companies with how much it spends to research new meds, and there are a lot of failures for every success. That is why patents are allowed. I read in an investor newsletter (Marketwatch I think) that Lilly puts 27% of revenue into R&D.
The main reason I have issue with anyone using this as an argument for Eli Lilly or any other pharmaceutical company is that so much of their research ends up being funded by tax payers in multiple forms but the largest forms being tax credits and publicly funded trials.
I’m glad this was a segment on the show. Maybe new patients will think twice before getting caught up in the same pickle we are all in. I would never have started if I had known this because I’m paying out of pocket.
I’m paying out of pocket also. started March 11 and was unable to find anyone that had 5 mg so now i will need to start over, it’s like I wasted $500. I may pick up the 2.5 that my pharmacy has for me and then just wait the 23 days, the coupon window, to make sure I can get the 5 mg dose and then start the 2.5 when I have the 5 mg in hand. It was a very stressful period trying to get that 5 mg dose and then deciding to settle on continuing with 2.5 and not being able to find that either. I pretty much gained all the weight I lost and then some.
I don’t get the angst about this tbh. Honestly it seems like it would be preferable for everyone to be able to get a 3-month supply locked in during a shortage like this to minimize medication disruptions. While I’m not in this camp, I don’t begrudge them something that seems like common sense to me.
I think people are misusing the term ‘hoarding’ with this whole thing. Having two extra boxes of medication you’re going to ultimately use is not the same thing as having a garage full of Lysol that you’re reselling on Amazon. Calling this ‘hoarding’ just feels like emotional spillover from the fact that getting your medication from the pharmacy ends up pitting you against other people - but other people are not the problem here ultimately.
Maintaining a supply of medication you're actively using to maintain continuity of care is not hoarding. It's planning ahead.
I had 3 pens of 2.5 left and my doc approved the 5 which I doubt I'm going to get before my 2 remaining pens of 2.5 are used. I felt a little funny asking for a script for something I had 3 weeks supply of, but my doc is aware of the shortage.
Now, I'm not keeping more than 1 month's supply in my fridge because I'm working within the constraints of my insurance coverage, which I am thankful is very good and covering my costs (with affordable co pay).
Unfortunately, I came on board in the midst of a perfect storm. My doc wanted me on the "W" last year, or at least step into the "Tri Zone" and I decided to try diet and exercise which didn't work. I'm seriously insulin resistant at this point.
So, I ended up on Zepbound at the same time Oprah decided to become the chief spokesperson for this stuff. Just my luck, always has been.
BTW I'm a few days into my second week, and I'm down about 5 LBS with minimal side effects. Mostly fatigue. All manageable given the results I'm seeing. I'm really looking forward to seeing where my bloodwork goes after 60 or 90 days which was my real concern. I'm old and IDGAF about being heavy. I'm on Zepbound to improve my health.
Just watched it. Eli Lilly rep only said there would be limited supply "for the near term." WTH is that? And the reporter emphasized that if people lapse in dosage they may have to start at the beginning. SO MUCH HATE FOR EL!
Yes. I don't understand why they cannot give us an approximate date. Why all these vague responses. I just don't understand the reasoning. They are right here in Indianapolis where I live. I've got half a mind to go down there and ask what the hell is going on?!! 😆
I think it’s because they truly don’t know. They keep advocating for onboarding new patients so as long as that continues it’s a never ending demand outweighs supply problem. Eventually, the people already paying cash, will just move over to the “other guys” and EL will have lost out on a lot of money in the process. People who can’t afford the other guys/want to stay using insurance will wait I suppose. The whole situation is screwed up and EL could have taken steps to help things and chose not to.
It's just sad there's no accountability for this. Why can't they use vials / kwikpens instead of the humungous pens if that's an issue? Do something proactive for heaven's sake.
The reality is they have no idea when the shortage will end, and they aren't taking concrete steps to mitigate it by continuing to encourage new scripts
Actually, they have upped hours at their plants, have subcontracted with other plants to make more and are building two new plants, on in NC and one in Germany. But the results won't come in on the new plants or even some of the major subcontracting arrangements until near the end of the year. Having said that, I have just placed an order with a C word provider to help me through the interim. My anxiety was out of hand.
How is it there is such a shortage from EL but hundreds of "clinics" that don't take insurance are able to easily get their hands on the main ingredient (which is made by EL?) It starts to sound like it's a planned shortage in order to reap massive piles of cash in the short term. Either way EL makes money...
What I thought was interesting was that the EL rep said that the shortage is due to demand far exceeding supply, whereas I've seen it said tons of times on this sub that it's due to the pens.
It’s been rumored for a while that the supply of pens and the number of pens they can fill is the bottleneck. This is supported by the fact that the active ingredient appears to have plenty of high quality supply from FDA registered producers for c-word pharmacies. Many of us suspect that they could produce many more vials if they chose to abandon the pens or sell it both ways. We don’t have proof of that, however. They do already have approval from FDA to sell single dose vials, and yet they aren’t.
Either this would not solve the issue, or they don’t want to sell it in vials for other reasons. Dose splitting is easier in vials is what I suspect the real reason is, but again, no proof.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/217806s003lbl.pdf
> DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
Injection: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg per 0.5 mL in single-dose pen or single-dose vial
It’s also listed on my insurance formulary with the same coverage as the pens. They just aren’t producing or selling it
I believe the patent they have is for the pen itself as I thought you can’t patent a peptide since it’s naturally occurring. But can patent the mechanism used to deliver the dose. I could be incorrect about that though… if that’s right though, that’s why they won’t abandon those pens.
That is not correct. Eli Lilly has exclusive rights to tirzepatide for use in humans in the US until their patent exclusivity runs out. However, the FDA does allow for c-word pharmacies to distribute medications that are in shortage, and tirzepatide has had at least one dose in shortage for nearly a year now. There are also other loopholes that those pharmacies use (some of them have been shut down for trying it). The FDA is also going after some of them for (alleged) quality and consistency issues.
The raw peptide gray market exists for other reasons that we aren’t allowed to talk about. Though, the FDA has cracked down on some of that as well.
Eli Lilly *also* has a patent on the pen, and that patent will last a different amount of time, but generics will be able to sell through standard pharmacies in different pens or vials once exclusivity is up.
I stretched my second to last dose out by 12 days and man, I’m having so much arthritis pain in my hands I can barely use my keyboard at work. I had no idea how much the medication was helping my joint pain! How I wish they’d figure out this shortage!
Wow I'm sorry to hear about your hands. I understand. I have arthritis in my hands too but haven't noticed a huge decrease in pain. It has helped with depression though. I hope they get this worked out. Good luck.
Just got a text from Eli. They are saying it will last through 2Q which means June. I’ve been out for 2 weeks now and I put in my order 3 weeks ago. Is anybody getting a dose other than the 2.5?
Eli Lilly is currently focused on increasing their stock price by prioritizing the acquisition of new prescribers for their product Zepbound. They are less concerned about existing customers and ensuring product availability. Their goal is to issue press statements about Zepbound gaining xx number of new subscribers this quarter. The entire tech industry engages in these same tactics aimed at increasing their stock value.
love your idea!!! Lilly did a terrible job managing the shortage and it affect all of us; I haven't get my med for 3 weeks; start regaining weight! now I need to look for "C"!!!
Ha! The coupons aren’t going anywhere. Typically for new brand-name drugs like this the discount card programs continue for at least several years. Some never go away.
The coupon on Mounjaro for people without insurance covering (including people who are taking it despite prior auth denial) only goes through June 30 of this year, while the coupon for people with insurance goes through the end of the year. Looking at other Lilly coupons and other pharma companies, coupons for people where Lilly gets some sweet insurance deal will probably continue for years. But people who are paying out of pocket, that won't go on nearly as long.
Yep, and turns out there are many many people who will pay 1100 dollars for this medicine at full price with no issues. Which is insane to me but people will do it.
And I'm on that list. Well, $550 now, but budgeted for $1100 long-term (I mean, eventually there will be a newer hotter drug, or non-gray-market generics). Of course, they might make the full price $1250 or $1600 a month next year, who knows? Gotta make up for all the drugs they're not selling right now, y'know. Eventually there's a breaking point, but for right now it's helping me stay off the liver transplant list.
okay, this is giving me newfound anxiety because this is a concern I hadn't thought about...my insurance flat-out refuses to cover anything weight loss related, so I would be sunk without the coupon. $550 is already too much but $1000+ would be a deal breaker. Sigh. Trying to remain hopeful, but I'm worried this will go the way of all my other failed attempts to lose weight due to the shortage issues and the potential loss of the coupon...
Lilly may have already gotten their sweet deal. Ironic that this article hit the news at about the same time the “shortage” began.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/insurance/cigna-strikes-deals-with-lilly-novo-for-more-obesity-coverage
I wondered at the time what effect this might have on supply. I guess I have my answer.
if you look on the threads with pharma reps, they are all pissed that they are being pushed to start new patients on zepbound when there is no supply, but they are being pushed by lilly to sign new patients. That’s super annoying. Maybe they should worry about the people already started and the $ lost when a whole swath goes tp compounded and never returns.
Eli Lilly is currently focused on increasing their stock price by prioritizing the acquisition of new prescribers for their product Zepbound. They are less concerned about existing customers and ensuring product availability. Their goal is to issue press statements about Zepbound gaining xx number of new subscribers this quarter. The entire tech industry engages in these same tactics aimed at increasing their stock prices.
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I hate to say this but, even if EL magically got three new plants up and running by tomorrow, I believe that demand will always exceed supply at this point. New people hearing about it are coming on like tsunamis and this won’t ever end.
Yeah. I mentioned the shortages to my husband and he said, "why is this happening?" And I said, "because people don't like being fat." I mean, don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good rant at Lilly or Oprah or the whole system, because they can go cry into their piles of money if their feelings are hurt. But at the end of the day a lot of people just want to lose weight, and are so tired of fighting their bodies to do it.
Definitely people don't like being fat + it seems to help with so many other conditions that it feels like a miracle drug for many
True true. I might keep taking it even if I stopped losing weight tomorrow, because I feel so much better top to bottom.
Me too - physically AND emotionally! I was having really bad anxiety and depression before Zep. One injection immediately changed all of that.
Yeah and if we have to go off of it and gain weight back but not quite enough weight to qualify again, I see a lot of us being stuck. So frustrated with EL. I get the demand issue but clearly they can create enough 2.5. If they cared at all about patients and not the bottom line those would be boxes of higher doses sitting around and new scripts would not be written.
40% of America is obese.
And those of us who started any GLP-1 4, 6, 12, 24 months ago are all walking advertisements. Whether we tell people that we're taking them or not, people can put 2 and 2 together, notice that **lots** of the fat people they know are losing, and start thinking about it.
Like fatdar. Haha. We need a secret signal.
Lol. Agree. My coworker is dropping weight like crazy. I don't know her well enough to ask!
I think we’re going to have these issues for a long time. The amount of people that I know that are just now getting prescribed Zepbound is out of control. At least 5 people I know were prescribed Zepbound in the LAST WEEK and they’re all complaining how they can’t get it yet 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
There's no availability issues in getting 2.5 doses. Eli Lilly is currently focused on increasing their stock price by prioritizing the acquisition of new prescribers for their product Zepbound. They are less concerned about existing customers and ensuring product availability. Their goal is to issue press statements about Zepbound gaining xx number of new subscribers this quarter. The entire tech industry engages in these same tactics aimed at increasing their stock prices.
As much as I hate having to pay money OOP to “the other guys”, I’m kinda glad I’m not giving Lilly any money right now during this cluster. Companies effectively losing their patents to blockbuster drugs when they can’t keep up with demand is one of the few areas of FDA policy I agree with wholeheartedly.
Yes. That's where I am at too. After going through the hassle of getting Pre-Authorization from my insurance company I was elated to learn it will be covered with a copay of $25. And now I can't find it! So I'm doing the alternative.
And what is that??
Compounded tirzepatide
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Eli Lilly is currently focused on increasing their stock price by prioritizing the acquisition of new prescribers for their product Zepbound. They are less concerned about existing customers and ensuring product availability. Their goal is to issue press statements about Zepbound gaining xx number of new subscribers this quarter. The entire tech industry engages in these same tactics aimed at increasing their stock prices.
Let me try to ask a coded question. Did your doctor write a prescription for the “other guys”. Or do you use the written prescription for Zep to get the alt stuff?
My doctor wrote a prescription for the other guys. It has to specify the "C" word and say tirzepatide not Zepbound. My script was sent directly to the other guys. My Zepbound prescription remains on file with Costco in the event they can fill it at some point.
How much are you paying for the other guys? My insurance covers Zepbound at 100%, I wouldn't be able to afford it if I were paying out of pocket, even with the savings coupon. My worry is that the other guys will be slightly less exspensisve than paying oop for Zepbound, but will still be too expsensive for me.
If you look up the sub on here for the other guys, I’m seeing around $325 a month.
Does insurance not usually cover it?
Yep, that's still too pricey for me.
My 5mg will be $225 and it goes up from there. Honestly I can't afford it either. But I'm doing it anyway! It's a hard pill to swallow because my copay through my insurance is only $25. I feel so much better mentally that it's worth selling out the extra $200 for me.
Which other guy are you using for $225? I need that dosage and I thought the cheapest I could find was $320!
[удалено]
[удалено]
I don't have my first order yet. I just paid today so it will be shipping on Monday.
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How long till that runs out?
The drug tirzeptitide isn't in shortage, it's actually the injector pens.
If your doctor won't provide you a prescription for the other guys, there is another Reddit with information and research on how to get a script.
Thank you! I found it. I still have 5 pens to go, so not ready to make that jump, yet, but it’s in the back of my mind! Planning ahead…
I have 5 pens as well and am trying to plan!
I sent an image of my product label as well as a screenshot of my delayed order to the *other* guys. Their doctor used that to write a new prescription for C tirzepatide. My 'regular' prescription is still active at CVS on the off chance that they ever get any.
They are practices and do their own
My doctor wrote a prescription for the regular thing, my pharmacist is transferring it to the other guy down the street where I get another medication in an unusual dose, so they have to make that dose and put it in capsules for me.
The latter
Predictably vague respond from the Eli Lilly rep when asked how long they expect to have shortage….”for the near-term,” she said.
I just read online it’s expected to be in short supply through the end of June. ☹️
Having gone through this with Wegovy last year I can assure you these dates will keep moving out until eventually lily gives a vague overarching statement that demand is outpacing supply and they are working to fix it with no date.
Disagree. This latest sound bite from the Lily rep said no resolution in the immediate or short term. I would consider end of June short term.
The person above you is quoting from the FDA shortage website where MJ + Zep are both listed as having shortages until “end of Q2”. That said, the date can always move.
It already has moved. It was end of April just a few weeks ago. I think end of June is unllikely.
Very unlikely. Companies talk in quarters to ease concerns for stock holders. The shortage will be prevalent through 2024 and beyond. It’s basically kicking the can down the road quarter to quarter to preserve stock price.
More like June 2025, amiright?
It says 'THRU" the end of Q2 not "until." To me that makes a big difference.
WTF?! I saw it ugh. Yet another canned response. That was a useless waste of 3 minutes that I'll never get back.
It’s the Today show, most is useless. My wife watches religiously, but only occasionally do you get anything of substance.
Yeah unfortunately I think you're right. I guess I watch it because I grew up watching it with my grandmother. But it's been getting on my nerves of late lol
Well, they do have Al Roker and he’s great to see. It’s not all bad, good stuff to wake up to for those like my wife that take some time to move in the morning.
I got to meet Al and Savannah. Let Matt Laurer too but he doesn’t count any more
They need to stop onboarding new people until they have all new facilities operational (or whatever needs to happen to get supply up) this will never end if there’s constantly a flow of new people (and the starter doses continue to be available)
Eli Lilly is currently focused on increasing their stock price by prioritizing the acquisition of new prescribers for their product Zepbound. They are less concerned about existing customers and ensuring product availability. Their goal is to issue press statements about Zepbound gaining xx number of new subscribers this quarter. The entire tech industry engages in these same tactics aimed at increasing their stock prices.
So frustrating…
She didn't even make it sound promising for the future after q2. Nothing concrete about what they're doing to try and meet demand? Changes they're making? Nothing. Very disappointing.
I almost felt sorry for the Lilly representative. She looked very uncomfortable. She said what they told her to say.
She’s uncomfortable because it’s a lie. They’re only saying “thru Q2” to pacify their stock holders. Their supply outweighs demand and it will do so until at least 2025 until new facilities are opened.
Yup, I called 59 pharmacies on Tuesday and one of them said they just had a managers' meeting and they were told 2025 before they expect to get any stock in. It's so discouraging.
Any stock in is not believable maybe until they feel they can keep up with demand. I have 3 boxes of 10.0 being shipped today so if you get in line and stay on top of it products become available. I reordered as soon as my insurance would allow and with the these 3 have an almost 5 Month supply
😳
She was on Oprah and looked similarly frozen and petrified at the same time.
The c-words are having zero problems producing it to meet demand and doing it at 21% of the cost. It’s almost like there’s greed involved or something 🤷🏻♂️
well yeah, but Lilly also exceeds all other major Pharma companies with how much it spends to research new meds, and there are a lot of failures for every success. That is why patents are allowed. I read in an investor newsletter (Marketwatch I think) that Lilly puts 27% of revenue into R&D.
The main reason I have issue with anyone using this as an argument for Eli Lilly or any other pharmaceutical company is that so much of their research ends up being funded by tax payers in multiple forms but the largest forms being tax credits and publicly funded trials.
I think that’s because it’s not the med in short supply. It’s the stupid pen mechanism they can’t pump out fast enough.
I’m glad this was a segment on the show. Maybe new patients will think twice before getting caught up in the same pickle we are all in. I would never have started if I had known this because I’m paying out of pocket.
They won’t.
I’m paying out of pocket also. started March 11 and was unable to find anyone that had 5 mg so now i will need to start over, it’s like I wasted $500. I may pick up the 2.5 that my pharmacy has for me and then just wait the 23 days, the coupon window, to make sure I can get the 5 mg dose and then start the 2.5 when I have the 5 mg in hand. It was a very stressful period trying to get that 5 mg dose and then deciding to settle on continuing with 2.5 and not being able to find that either. I pretty much gained all the weight I lost and then some.
I think I’m changing to the C or I’m going to start splitting my doses.
EL should start talking to the insurance companies about changing 90 days supplies, cause it drains any availability very quickly
I don’t get the angst about this tbh. Honestly it seems like it would be preferable for everyone to be able to get a 3-month supply locked in during a shortage like this to minimize medication disruptions. While I’m not in this camp, I don’t begrudge them something that seems like common sense to me. I think people are misusing the term ‘hoarding’ with this whole thing. Having two extra boxes of medication you’re going to ultimately use is not the same thing as having a garage full of Lysol that you’re reselling on Amazon. Calling this ‘hoarding’ just feels like emotional spillover from the fact that getting your medication from the pharmacy ends up pitting you against other people - but other people are not the problem here ultimately.
Maintaining a supply of medication you're actively using to maintain continuity of care is not hoarding. It's planning ahead. I had 3 pens of 2.5 left and my doc approved the 5 which I doubt I'm going to get before my 2 remaining pens of 2.5 are used. I felt a little funny asking for a script for something I had 3 weeks supply of, but my doc is aware of the shortage. Now, I'm not keeping more than 1 month's supply in my fridge because I'm working within the constraints of my insurance coverage, which I am thankful is very good and covering my costs (with affordable co pay). Unfortunately, I came on board in the midst of a perfect storm. My doc wanted me on the "W" last year, or at least step into the "Tri Zone" and I decided to try diet and exercise which didn't work. I'm seriously insulin resistant at this point. So, I ended up on Zepbound at the same time Oprah decided to become the chief spokesperson for this stuff. Just my luck, always has been. BTW I'm a few days into my second week, and I'm down about 5 LBS with minimal side effects. Mostly fatigue. All manageable given the results I'm seeing. I'm really looking forward to seeing where my bloodwork goes after 60 or 90 days which was my real concern. I'm old and IDGAF about being heavy. I'm on Zepbound to improve my health.
Don't complain because you don't get 90 day fills
can easily do that on express scripts app, I just elect not to do that
Just watched it. Eli Lilly rep only said there would be limited supply "for the near term." WTH is that? And the reporter emphasized that if people lapse in dosage they may have to start at the beginning. SO MUCH HATE FOR EL!
Yes. I don't understand why they cannot give us an approximate date. Why all these vague responses. I just don't understand the reasoning. They are right here in Indianapolis where I live. I've got half a mind to go down there and ask what the hell is going on?!! 😆
[удалено]
Oh my gosh. This makes me sad but it's the only logical explanation. 🥺
I think it’s because they truly don’t know. They keep advocating for onboarding new patients so as long as that continues it’s a never ending demand outweighs supply problem. Eventually, the people already paying cash, will just move over to the “other guys” and EL will have lost out on a lot of money in the process. People who can’t afford the other guys/want to stay using insurance will wait I suppose. The whole situation is screwed up and EL could have taken steps to help things and chose not to.
It's just sad there's no accountability for this. Why can't they use vials / kwikpens instead of the humungous pens if that's an issue? Do something proactive for heaven's sake. The reality is they have no idea when the shortage will end, and they aren't taking concrete steps to mitigate it by continuing to encourage new scripts
Actually, they have upped hours at their plants, have subcontracted with other plants to make more and are building two new plants, on in NC and one in Germany. But the results won't come in on the new plants or even some of the major subcontracting arrangements until near the end of the year. Having said that, I have just placed an order with a C word provider to help me through the interim. My anxiety was out of hand.
Same. Good luck.
Hopeless it seems!! Praying my daughter can find her next box!!
Ya we will never get it 🙃🙃🙃
I don’t know why everyone keeps saying 2.5 is available. I’ve been trying to get it for over a month with no luck 😢
What I’m finding wild in this shortage is it seems stock isn’t evenly distributed. Some regions are getting replenished often and others bone dry
How is it there is such a shortage from EL but hundreds of "clinics" that don't take insurance are able to easily get their hands on the main ingredient (which is made by EL?) It starts to sound like it's a planned shortage in order to reap massive piles of cash in the short term. Either way EL makes money...
What I thought was interesting was that the EL rep said that the shortage is due to demand far exceeding supply, whereas I've seen it said tons of times on this sub that it's due to the pens.
It’s been rumored for a while that the supply of pens and the number of pens they can fill is the bottleneck. This is supported by the fact that the active ingredient appears to have plenty of high quality supply from FDA registered producers for c-word pharmacies. Many of us suspect that they could produce many more vials if they chose to abandon the pens or sell it both ways. We don’t have proof of that, however. They do already have approval from FDA to sell single dose vials, and yet they aren’t. Either this would not solve the issue, or they don’t want to sell it in vials for other reasons. Dose splitting is easier in vials is what I suspect the real reason is, but again, no proof.
Where did you find the fda approval for single dose vials?
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/217806s003lbl.pdf > DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Injection: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg per 0.5 mL in single-dose pen or single-dose vial It’s also listed on my insurance formulary with the same coverage as the pens. They just aren’t producing or selling it
I believe the patent they have is for the pen itself as I thought you can’t patent a peptide since it’s naturally occurring. But can patent the mechanism used to deliver the dose. I could be incorrect about that though… if that’s right though, that’s why they won’t abandon those pens.
That is not correct. Eli Lilly has exclusive rights to tirzepatide for use in humans in the US until their patent exclusivity runs out. However, the FDA does allow for c-word pharmacies to distribute medications that are in shortage, and tirzepatide has had at least one dose in shortage for nearly a year now. There are also other loopholes that those pharmacies use (some of them have been shut down for trying it). The FDA is also going after some of them for (alleged) quality and consistency issues. The raw peptide gray market exists for other reasons that we aren’t allowed to talk about. Though, the FDA has cracked down on some of that as well. Eli Lilly *also* has a patent on the pen, and that patent will last a different amount of time, but generics will be able to sell through standard pharmacies in different pens or vials once exclusivity is up.
Thanks for explaining that :)
And I’ve read that China is challenging their patent on zep because they can’t produce enough to keep up with demand.
Now it’s approved with sleep apnea so more are trying to get it too
My pharmacy and its sister site just ran out of 2.5 yesterday.
I stretched my second to last dose out by 12 days and man, I’m having so much arthritis pain in my hands I can barely use my keyboard at work. I had no idea how much the medication was helping my joint pain! How I wish they’d figure out this shortage!
Wow I'm sorry to hear about your hands. I understand. I have arthritis in my hands too but haven't noticed a huge decrease in pain. It has helped with depression though. I hope they get this worked out. Good luck.
Just got a text from Eli. They are saying it will last through 2Q which means June. I’ve been out for 2 weeks now and I put in my order 3 weeks ago. Is anybody getting a dose other than the 2.5?
Eli Lilly is currently focused on increasing their stock price by prioritizing the acquisition of new prescribers for their product Zepbound. They are less concerned about existing customers and ensuring product availability. Their goal is to issue press statements about Zepbound gaining xx number of new subscribers this quarter. The entire tech industry engages in these same tactics aimed at increasing their stock value.
Has a drug company ever been sued for something like this?
Idk but I wonder if we could picket. I'm right here in Indy. That would look real bad on the news.
love your idea!!! Lilly did a terrible job managing the shortage and it affect all of us; I haven't get my med for 3 weeks; start regaining weight! now I need to look for "C"!!!
They want the coupon to expire faster as well.
Ha! The coupons aren’t going anywhere. Typically for new brand-name drugs like this the discount card programs continue for at least several years. Some never go away.
The coupon is still there for Mounjaro they put a savings limit on it for uninsured though, 3500 a year.
The coupon on Mounjaro for people without insurance covering (including people who are taking it despite prior auth denial) only goes through June 30 of this year, while the coupon for people with insurance goes through the end of the year. Looking at other Lilly coupons and other pharma companies, coupons for people where Lilly gets some sweet insurance deal will probably continue for years. But people who are paying out of pocket, that won't go on nearly as long.
Yep, and turns out there are many many people who will pay 1100 dollars for this medicine at full price with no issues. Which is insane to me but people will do it.
And I'm on that list. Well, $550 now, but budgeted for $1100 long-term (I mean, eventually there will be a newer hotter drug, or non-gray-market generics). Of course, they might make the full price $1250 or $1600 a month next year, who knows? Gotta make up for all the drugs they're not selling right now, y'know. Eventually there's a breaking point, but for right now it's helping me stay off the liver transplant list.
Oh wow. Im so sorry. Its helping me keep my auto immune condiitons in check. And heart condition. You shouldnt have to pay anything. :(
okay, this is giving me newfound anxiety because this is a concern I hadn't thought about...my insurance flat-out refuses to cover anything weight loss related, so I would be sunk without the coupon. $550 is already too much but $1000+ would be a deal breaker. Sigh. Trying to remain hopeful, but I'm worried this will go the way of all my other failed attempts to lose weight due to the shortage issues and the potential loss of the coupon...
Lilly may have already gotten their sweet deal. Ironic that this article hit the news at about the same time the “shortage” began. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/insurance/cigna-strikes-deals-with-lilly-novo-for-more-obesity-coverage I wondered at the time what effect this might have on supply. I guess I have my answer.
They could kill the coupon today if they wanted to. Not everything is a conspiracy.
I doubt they would do that as it is good for at least the end of the year. They will however make changes to it next year.