ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Diabetic patients are dealing with a nationwide shortage of Trulicity. The drug is similar to Ozempic which many people are also using to lose weight.
Carol Ann Chapetto said she's been taking the Type 2 Diabetes drug for three years. to help regulate her blood sugar.
"It's an injectable which is once a week," she said. "It has to be refrigerated."
She said her only challenge right now is refilling it.
"I went and I said, 'Is my prescription ready?' And they said, 'Oh no, there's a nationwide shortage,'" Chapetto recalled, "We're not going to be able to get it. So I asked how long is this shortage going to be, and they said they have no idea."
She isn't the only one dealing with this. The Food and Drug Administration said there's a demand increase for the drug similar and there's limited availability.
"It's very disappointing living in this day and age and in this country where we have an abundance of so many things," Chapetto said.
According to the FDA, it's the same case for another diabetic drug called Ozempic. Novo Nordisk makes the drug and executives say they plan to gradually increase supply through 2024, but their forecast allows for periodic supply constraints.
Many drugs to treat diabetes are now being used as weight-loss medications. Chapetto understands using it for life-saving measures but not personal gain.
"If somebody is using this drug because they want to lose 20 pounds to fit into a wedding gown or a prom dress or because the summer is coming and they're trying to fit into a bathing suit, then that bothers me because there are gyms on every corner," Chapetto said.
She said several pharmacies have told her they're all out. She hopes manufacturers ramp up production soon.
"It's like playing roulette," Chapetto said. "I can't take a chance not taking the diabetic medication that I was prescribed."
Eli Lily is the manufacturer of Trulicity. In a statement to 10 Tampa Bay, the company said in part that it expects the backorder to continue through early 2024 and they are moving with urgency to address it.
They advise patients with concerns to speak with their healthcare provider.