A scarcity of a viral weight loss program drug – finest often called Ozempic – is about to finish and medical doctors are involved Australians will rush to get their arms on it, leaving those that want it within the lurch.
The “wonder drug” semaglutide has gone viral as the most recent controversial craze in superstar weight loss program tradition, with rumours swirling of Ozempic events attended by members of Hollywood’s elite.
A world scarcity of the drug ensued, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) warning Australians it could stay briefly provide till the tip of June.
The nation’s leaders in diabetes analysis congregated in Canberra on Tuesday with federal politicians for the preliminary public listening to of the nationwide Inquiry into Diabetes.
Australian Diabetes Society chief govt Sof Andrikopoulos, who attended the listening to, mentioned semaglutide’s use for weight reduction was not “the issue”.
“The issues is we need to prioritise diabetics first,” he mentioned.
“We’ve got an issue with supply, but the ADS is very in favour of having semaglutide indicators for obesity.”
Dr Andrikopoulos mentioned the drug’s producer Novo Nordisk had assured the ADS that offer would be capable to meet demand.
He mentioned semaglutide was a “very powerful” weight reduction drug that wanted to be made extra accessible and, importantly, supported by an schooling program that helped customers keep a wholesome way of life.
“We know it can reduce body weight by up to 12 per cent, the weight loss is sustainable while the person is on the drug and there’s very minimal side effects,” he mentioned.
Some of the principle unwanted side effects embody constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea, whereas extra excessive unwanted side effects embody lack of muscle mass. Pregnant ladies are suggested in opposition to utilizing the drug.
The unknown diabetics
A Melbourne examine discovered that 34 per cent of hospital sufferers over the age of fifty had been discovered to have sort 2 diabetes and 5 per cent had gone undiagnosed.
In Queensland, an analogous examine discovered that 25 per cent of all sufferers had diabetes.
“If you have diabetes and you’re admitted to hospital, you’re more prone to infection and your hospital stays are longer,” Dr Andrikopoulos mentioned.
“We need a national standard for people who are bedridden and a national education program for healthcare workers.”
The implication just isn’t solely a rising impression on the nation’s healthcare system however a rising amount of individuals – estimated round half 1,000,000 – affected by diabetes with none prognosis.
There are greater than 170,000 Australians identified with sort 1 diabetes and 1.3 million identified with sort 2 diabetes.
“It’s not clear how many people are walking around with undiagnosed diabetes,” Dr Andrikopoulos mentioned.
“That’s why we are hoping for a national prevention screening program.”
Australians need solutions
Labor MP Mike Freelander is a practising paediatrician with near 50 years of expertise in healthcare and is the chair of the committee chargeable for the inquiry.
“We are in the middle of a diabetes epidemic and it’s going to severely impact the health of future generations unless we can try and turn things around,” he mentioned.
He mentioned he had spoken together with his common observe colleagues who say most people are asking for entry to semaglutide.
“I think that’s one of the most remarkable changes in healthcare in the last decades … the general public has access to information now,” he mentioned.
“They are aware of this, and they want answers.”
“I’ve had some of my parliamentary colleagues ask me about it.”
He mentioned we “can’t hold back the tide” of individuals wanting entry to the drug, however well being authorities wanted to ascertain pointers to make sure individuals didn’t injury their well being through the use of it wrongly.
The committee members will meet a number of instances this yr and there are plans to journey throughout the nation – together with to distant Indigenous communities – to raised perceive the diabetes disaster.
Source: www.news.com.au
