Photo:Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly
Two popular weight loss drugs are currently in short supply, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
The agency’s website states that currently, two doses ofZepboundand four doses ofMounjarohave “limited availability” through the end of April. Additionally, a “demand increase” is cited as the reason for the shortages.
Mounjaro is FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes while Zepbound is FDA-approved to treat obesity.
In a statement toABC News, Eli Lilly said the company is working to replenish its supply amid the “unparalleled surge in demand.”
Sandy Huffaker for The Washington Post via Getty
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“We recognize this situation may cause a disruption in peoples’ treatment regimens and are working with purpose and urgency to address it,” a spokesperson for the company told the outlet. “As a medicine company, we know that people rely on us to help reach and maintain their health goals, and we take our responsibility very seriously.”
“While we anticipate intermittent availability in the near term due to unprecedented demand, we expect our investments in manufacturing and supply capacity to progressively increase production of Mounjaro and Zepbound throughout the second half of 2024,” the statement said.
Last month, Eli Lillyreleased a commercialahead of the2024 Oscarscriticizing people in Hollywood who are misusing their weight loss drugs.
“We have a point of view about how these drugs are being used,” CEO David Ricks toldCNN. “These medicines were invented for people with a serious health condition; they were not invented just to have someone who’s famous look a little bit better.”
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Eli Lilly alsoreleased a statementin January emphasizing that they “stand against the use of its medicines for cosmetic weight loss.”
“Mounjaro and Zepbound are indicated for the treatment of serious diseases; they are not approved for — and should not be used for — cosmetic weight loss,” the company said at the time. “Lilly does not promote or encourage use of Mounjaro, Zepbound, or any Lilly medicines outside of a medicine’s FDA-approved indication.”
The FDA has also listed four doses of Wegovy as“limited availability”due to demand increases.However, there is no estimated duration of the shortage.
source: people.com
