Ozempic, Wegovy, and other GLP-1 medications have surged in popularity for weight loss and diabetes control, which has created immense supply challenges. To mitigate these issues, the first generic GLP-1 medication, a duplicate of Victoza, was launched on June 25.
Fox News recently discussed the availability of the first generic GLP-1 medication for diabetes and interviewed Dr. Osborn, longevity medicine expert at Senolytix.
Manufactured by Novo Nordisk and distributed by Teva Pharmaceuticals, this medication offers a cost-effective alternative for diabetes patients.
Dr. Osborn praised the introduction of this generic, emphasizing its lower price and benefits for chronic conditions like diabetes, which require long-term medication to prevent complications such as vascular disease, strokes, heart attacks, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and obesity. Diabetes is also a "gateway disease."
Dr. Osborn agreed that the availability of the first generic GLP-1 is "great news."
[READ MORE: OZEMPIC, WEGOVY COULD TREAT KIDNEY DISEASE]
He further explained that proper diabetes management helps prevent severe complications and thereby improves overall health outcomes. The active ingredient in Victoza is liraglutide, differing from Ozempic's semaglutide, and requires daily dosing due to its shorter half-life.
"Each medication has pros and cons. At base level, however, the molecules are similar and subserve identical bodily functions — appetite suppression and the promotion of insulin secretion from the pancreas," Dr. Osborn said.
[READ MORE: SENOLYTIX WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM]
This new generic option represents a crucial advancement in making essential diabetes treatments more accessible.
*The full version of this article was published on Fox News by Melissa Rudy on July 28, 2024.*
