Ozempik should be a familiar term to those who suffer from diabetes. But the global trend, which has been present in Serbia for a long time, creates enormous problems for these patients, because many people buy this drug, especially before the summer, in order to use it for weight loss.
Patients have been struggling with the lack of this drug in pharmacies for a long time, and the "Blue Circle" Association warns that new diabetes patients are in an even more difficult position.
Old topic, new problems
"Yes, that topic is a bit out of date, and the peak of the shortage of Ozempik in pharmacies was right before the summer, because people want to lose weight for the sea. We have fewer inquiries from diabetic patients who seek Ozempik, but we are worried about new patients, Bojana Marković, president of the Association for the Fight against Diabetes "Plavi krug", told "Vreme" portal.
According to her, the "old" patients have already managed and the pharmacies inform them directly when the medicine arrives, they can go and get it on prescription. But, she says, "she's worried about new patients with diabetes who haven't managed."
"Our Association's recommendation to new, sick patients is that whenever they find Ozempik in the pharmacy, they should take it, whatever the milligram, even the smallest, so that they can maintain their condition, even with the smallest dose," says Marković.
Do not buy medicine "under the counter"
She noted and appealed to the citizens not to under any circumstances buy the drug Ozempik "under the counter", that is, from people who sell it illegally, even on social networks.
"We don't know what is in those drugs that are sold on the side and outside of pharmacies and whether they really contain the substances of the drug Ozempik." In addition, patients, that is, those who want Ozempik solely for weight loss, are also not aware of the contraindications, and that is why we are worried."
She pointed out that the state did react well with inspections of health centers when the situation was alarming, but she is also afraid that in some state and private health institutions they look down on patients when it comes to indications for prescribing that medicine.
"In the Fund on list of medicines there are exact indications when Ozempik is prescribed and it shouldn't be any other way," adds Marković.
Finally, she says that there is a planet-wide shortage of Ozempic, and patients who really need it often can't get it.
"The company that produces Ozempik cannot produce so much medicine in relation to the demand, they simply do not have enough substances." However, in the meantime, the same company started producing a new drug, intended only for weight loss, called Saxenda and for which it is not necessary to have specific indications, but you also need to have a prescription for it."
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