Eli Lilly’s highly popular weight loss injection Zepbound and diabetes drug Mounjaro are now fully available in the U.S., as per the recent update on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s drug shortage database. The previous update indicated that certain doses of these treatments were facing shortages. The scarcity of Mounjaro dates back to as early as 2022, while Zepbound recently joined the FDA’s shortage list following its approval in the United States in November. This scarcity is a result of the overwhelming demand for weight loss and diabetes drugs, surpassing the available supply for several months, thereby prompting Eli Lilly and its competitor Novo Nordisk to make significant investments to enhance their manufacturing capacity.
The FDA’s update is in line with a statement made by Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks, who recently mentioned in an interview with Bloomberg that the shortages of Mounjaro and Zepbound would be resolved “very soon.” Ricks expressed optimism by stating, “I think actually today or tomorrow we plan to exit that process.” However, a spokesperson for Eli Lilly did not provide an immediate response to CNBC’s request for comment regarding the FDA’s update published on Friday.
In comparison, all doses of Novo Nordisk’s diabetes injection Ozempic are currently available in the U.S. According to the FDA’s database, certain doses of Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drug Wegovy, on the other hand, have limited supply. This availability update showcases the efforts being made by both companies to meet the increasing demand for weight loss and diabetes medications in the market.
The pharmaceutical industry’s response to the shortage of weight loss and diabetes drugs highlights the challenges faced by manufacturers in keeping up with the rising demand for these medications. As the prevalence of obesity and diabetes continues to grow globally, pharmaceutical companies must invest in expanding their production capabilities to mitigate drug shortages and ensure continuous access to essential treatments for patients.
The recent update on the availability of Eli Lilly’s weight loss and diabetes drugs in the U.S. signifies a positive step towards addressing the shortages that have been affecting these medications. By investing in manufacturing and production, pharmaceutical companies can better navigate the challenges posed by fluctuating demand and supply dynamics in the healthcare sector.