Calls for England’s prescribing watchdog to approve the highly effective weight-loss jab, tirzepatide, have intensified due to concerns over the shortage of current diabetes medication. There are fears that desperate patients may turn to purchasing dangerous fake drugs online. In trials, tirzepatide has shown remarkable results, with a third of type 2 diabetics shedding over 20% of their body weight and achieving controlled blood sugars in just over a year. This makes it twice as effective as the currently approved drug, semaglutide.
Both drugs work by suppressing appetite and increasing insulin production, essential for controlling type 2 diabetes. The early results of tirzepatide trials were so impressive that it was nicknamed “King Kong” by Dallas-based diabetes expert Dr. Julio Rosenstock. The drug has already been approved by US health authorities, but the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has requested additional evidence before granting approval for NHS use, much to the surprise and disappointment of diabetes and obesity specialists.
The demand for semaglutide has soared, leading to a global shortage of the drug. This means that many diabetics who have relied on semaglutide are unable to access it. Approving tirzepatide would provide an alternative treatment option and help alleviate the pressure caused by the shortage. Professor Partha Kar, NHS England’s diabetes adviser, supports granting tirzepatide approval and highlights the urgent need for the drug due to the stock problems with semaglutide. The updated decision from NICE is eagerly anticipated.
Worryingly, there have been reports on social media app TikTok of individuals claiming to sell tirzepatide in the UK. This raises concerns about the availability of counterfeit drugs online. Regulators in several countries have already seized fake semaglutide, and there have been cases of individuals being admitted to the hospital after using counterfeit weight-loss drugs. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is committed to cracking down on unlawful traders and urges individuals to avoid purchasing medicines from unreliable sources to protect their health.
Semaglutide, marketed under the brand name Ozempic, is currently the most effective drug in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It also has notable weight-loss benefits. However, stocks have been depleted due to overwhelming demand driven by viral success stories on social media platforms. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, is struggling to meet the high demand and expects the stock issue to persist until mid-2024.
Tirzepatide is a new type of drug that combines a GLP-1 receptor agonist with another compound called a GIP receptor agonist. It stimulates insulin production and provides better blood sugar control. Doctors and patients have reported positive outcomes, including weight loss and improved quality of life due to reduced food cravings. Currently, tirzepatide is only available for diabetes, but its popularity has grown due to social media promotion. Patients are keen to access the drug, highlighting the need for NICE approval and insurance coverage to ensure wider availability.
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