THE COST OF SEMAGLUTIDE, OZEMPIC, WEGOVY AND MOUNJARO WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS – PART III

Cost is another important factor to consider with these medications. Not all insurance covers Wegovy or Ozempic, depending on the plans and why you are using it.

While diabetes drugs are more likely to be covered, weight loss is not, unless it is related to an existing obesity condition like heart disease, etc. Without insurance, the cost of Wegovy is $1,349.02 per package for a one-month supply. Ouch!

Ozempic, on the other hand, costs about $970.00 without insurance. Mounjaro’s cost was not quoted in this study, but when I looked it up, it averaged $1070 per month – the prices have changed quite a bit on all of them, so exact costs are hard to pin down.

As mentioned previously in this series of articles, it’s somewhat head-scratching that the FDA approved Ozempic (semaglutide) for weight loss, when it is a diabetic medication and hasn’t even been studied for use in non-diabetics.

We know the side-effects of semaglutide are not good, and that more and more stories are emerging of pancreatitis and gastroparesis (or stomach paralysis). Lawyers are already jumping on board with lawsuits against the makers of Ozempic and Mounjaro, as well.

About 400 people have come forward claiming to have gastrointestinal injuries, ileus (which is where you can’t push food and waste out of your body) and intestinal blockage caused by the diabetes medications. Attorney Pennock from the firm Morgan & Morgan, based in Orlando, Florida, stated that he ultimately expects to see “thousands of such cases.” In fact, they are investigating several thousand cases right now.

The bottom line underscores Dr. Berry’s concerns. With 74% of the US population being obese or overweight, researchers are exploring drugs to address the issue. But drugs are not a cure all and won’t fix the problem.

“All medications may have side effects,” said Dr. John Angstadt, director of bariatric surgery at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in New York. “Medications can provide a jump-start to weight loss, but sustainable weight management requires long-term lifestyle changes.” His recommendation is to build healthy habits around diet, exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep. Bingo! Thank you, Dr Angstadt!