Semaglutide is a new, long-acting GLP-1 analog that is injected subcutaneously once a week. It is a long-acting dosage form developed based on the basic structure of liraglutide and has a better effect in treating type 2 diabetes. Globally, an estimated 462 million individuals are affected by type 2 diabetes, corresponding to 6.28% of the world’s population, leaving semaglutide suppliers unable to provide the drug for such a large number of patients. This situation has caused great concern among patients who rely on this drug, as well as the health care professionals who prescribe it. The most important factor is, between celebrity endorsements, pre- and post-TikTok, and growing evidence of its weight-loss benefits, it’s no surprise that semaglutide’s rapid popularity as a weight-loss tool has led to nationwide shortages.
Semaglutide is an anti-diabetic drug for type 2 diabetes and a weight-loss drug for long-term weight management developed by Novo Nordisk in 2012. It is a peptide similar to glucagon-like peptide-1 with modified side chains. Semaglutides are produced using yeast through genetic recombination technology. It can be injected subcutaneously or taken orally.
Semaglutide is scarce globally. Semaglutide suppliers have insufficient stocks in many places in North America, Europe, and Australia. Novo Nordisk, the developer and supplier of the drug semaglutide, has updated its website in Australia to address ongoing supply challenges with semaglutide, the Australian Journal of Pharmacy reported in 2023. A statement on the Australian government website confirmed that while there are stocks in Australia, supply will be limited and intermittent until June 2023. Novo Nordisk is actively working to establish a stable supply of inventory in the future.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) also issued an official statement saying that the semaglutide hypoglycemic injection produced by Novo Nordisk faced a long-term shortage, which last throughout 2023.
Semaglutide promotions were halted in North America in 2023 to control demand, and even though Novo Nordisk announced plans at the time to increase semaglutide supply by acquiring a second contract manufacturer, it also remains temporarily reducing the availability of lower dose strengths in the United States to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
At the same time, Novo Nordisk also announced the suspension of major promotional activities for its obesity drug semaglutide in North America to avoid further stimulating demand. This includes suspending local television advertising and postponing a planned national television campaign for semaglutide. The company is also evaluating its promotional strategy for healthcare professionals and making necessary adjustments.
Semaglutide’s mechanism of action: Semaglutide is a GLP-1 analog with 94% sequence homology to human GLP-1. Semaglutide acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, selectively binding to and activating the GLP-1 receptor (the target of natural GLP-1). GLP-1 is a physiological hormone with multiple effects on glucose mediated by the GLP-1 receptor. The primary mechanism responsible for prolonging the half-life of semaglutide is albumin binding, resulting in reduced renal clearance and protection from metabolic degradation. In addition, semaglutide is stable against degradation by the DPP-4 enzyme.
Semaglutide lowers blood glucose through mechanisms that stimulate insulin secretion and decrease glucagon secretion, both of which occur in a glucose-dependent manner. Therefore, when blood sugar is high, insulin secretion is stimulated and glucagon secretion is suppressed. The mechanism of hypoglycemia also involves a slight delay in gastric emptying during the early postprandial period.
Possible side effects of semaglutide include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, indigestion, palpitations, dizziness, bloating, burping, hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, flatulence, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Semaglutide may also cause gastroparesis syndrome (also known as gastroparesis).
Is the compound semaglutide safe? The FDA states that patients should be aware that some products sold as “semaglutide” may contain different active ingredients than FDA-approved semaglutide products and may be salt formulations. Products containing these salts, such as semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate, have not been proven to be safe and effective.
All in all, semaglutide’s effectiveness in treating diabetes and weight loss has been enthusiastically touted, resulting in a shortage of the drug. The lack of supply resulting from the purchase of semaglutide for weight loss prevents consumers who really need it from receiving treatment in a timely manner. Semaglutide suppliers have expressed hope that changes will be made to alleviate shortages and ensure that the medicine reaches those who need it most.
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