The blockbuster weight loss drug sold as Ozempic and Wegovy [has, on 21 March, gone] generic in countries that are home to 40 percent of the world’s population, significantly lowering the price of a costly medicine that had been largely unaffordable to nearly all but the wealthiest people. On Saturday, Novo Nordisk, the company that until now has had a monopoly on selling the drug, will lose patent protection in several of the world’s most populous countries. The first generic versions are expected to arrive in India as soon as this weekend. In the coming months, the generics are also expected to become available in China, Canada, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.

  • 🍉 Albert 🍉@lemmy.world
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    8 days ago

    isn’t it meant to be a permanent treatment?

    no one says insulin is inefficient because diabetics die if they stop taking it.

    • paraphrand@lemmy.world
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      8 days ago

      Exactly. And these drugs were originally diabetes medications. And they don’t cure diabetes.

      • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca
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        6 days ago

        the only reason they were diabetes meds was because obesity and high carb intake is the cause of most type 2 diabetes.

        All these drugs do is trick the brain into thinking you just over ate.

      • corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca
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        8 days ago

        Not directly.

        But borderline people who lose a lot of weight can sometimes get into the range of non-insulin-dependent life.

    • quickenparalysespunk@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      8 days ago

      sorry but some people do say it’s inefficient and unfair. insulin is not free (not in all countries at least) and it’s extra effort and task management which is forced on people, some of them just because they were born with diabetes and never had a choice.

      it’s like a tax for being born a certain way.

      • 🍉 Albert 🍉@lemmy.world
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        7 days ago

        insulin is practically free to make, is about a couple $ per month without subsidies.

        If you pay more than that it is a literal scam and people belong in jail.

        • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca
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          6 days ago

          insulin is practically free to make, is about a couple $ per month without subsidies.

          No drug is inexpensive to make at GMP level.