Written By: Salma Ngokila 1,2
Advised By: Brandon Campbell 1,3
Edited By: Anissa Kurani 1,4
Affiliations:
1. Health Disparities Think Tank, Cambridge, MA, USA
2. University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
3. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
4. Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C., USA
Introduction
Diabetes affects 38.4 million people in the US, which is about 11.6% of the population. It is a chronic disease in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels. This disease occurs when the pancreas cannot produce sufficient insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, and it is an essential hormone because it helps the body absorb glucose from the bloodstream into cells. It provides the body with the energy it needs to function. Type 1 diabetes is when the body's immune system attacks the pancreas' insulin-producing cells, and type 2 diabetes is when the pancreas makes less insulin than before and the body’s cells become resistant to insulin. About 90%-95% of people who have diabetes have type 2 diabetes (CDC 2023). Many factors can lead to diabetes, such as age, lifestyle, genetics, hormone imbalance, pancreatic damage, medications, smoking, alcohol, and race.
Diabetes disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minority groups, rural residents, and low-income individuals. According to the CDC, American Indian and Alaska Native adults have the highest prevalence of diagnosed diabetes, followed by non-Hispanic Black adults, adults of Hispanic origin, non-Hispanic Asian adults, and non-Hispanic White adults (CDC 2020). Genetics and race can affect the likelihood of developing certain diseases. Rural residents are far from hospitals and doctors, so they do not get checked regularly, which is harmful because they are less likely to know early on if they have diabetes due to the low frequency of their visits. Thus, diabetes is higher among adults living in nonmetropolitan areas than among those in metropolitan areas. Lastly, low-income individuals may lack sufficient funds to afford regular visits, insurance, and medications. The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes is highest among adults with less than a high school education (CDC 2020). Education affects the type of job these individuals can get, and if they are working at local pizza shops or fast-food businesses, they are only living off minimum wage, which varies in each state. A study conducted by the CDC found that individuals who experienced low income for five consecutive years had the highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes (CDC 2019). Now that we have identified which groups are most likely to develop diabetes, let's focus on how low-income individuals live with diabetes.
Diabetes is an expensive disease, as doctor visits, hospitalizations, and medications all contribute to the healthcare cost of diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, in 2022, the estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes in the US was $327 billion, with $237 billion for direct medical costs (ADA 2022). A research study conducted by Vijay N. Joish et al., which estimates the annual healthcare cost for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the US, concluded that “median total prescription costs per patient per year were $7,816 and $2,783 for the Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes cohorts, respectively. Median diabetes-related prescription costs were $4,221 for type 1 diabetes and $203 for type 2 diabetes. This study pooled data from adults across the U.S. to calculate their annual spending on diabetes medications. For a low-income individual living in states like Georgia or Wyoming, where the minimum wage is $5.15—or in states with no minimum wage at all—setting aside money for diabetes treatments and medications can be challenging. These individuals often need to prioritize essentials like rent, food, and transportation. If diabetes management costs are unaffordable, how do low-income individuals manage their condition?
Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and a prescription injectable medication used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. It is a weekly injection that assists the pancreas’ production of insulin, in order to lower blood sugar levels. According to the CDC, researchers estimate that with new ADA and EASD guidelines, 82% of US adults with type 2 diabetes may be eligible to take a GLP-1 medication, a similar SGLT-2, or both. Ozempic, which contains the drug semaglutide, is approved for both diabetes management and weight loss. In fact, two of the five FDA-approved weight-loss drugs—liraglutide and semaglutide—are also approved for treating type 2 diabetes. This overlap highlights how some diabetes medications have proven effective as weight-loss treatments for non-diabetic patients as well.
Ozempic’s use as a weight-loss drug raises questions about its availability and prioritization for patients who rely on it primarily for diabetes management. Recently, Ozempic has gained popularity for its weight-loss benefits instead of its intended use for diabetes, making prices of Ozempic skyrocket and increase in demand. This drug is essential for those with type 2 diabetes, as they rely on it to help manage their diabetes. But now, prices of this drug have risen, and market supplies have diminished, leaving low-income individuals with type 2 diabetes unable to access and afford essential medication, which further deepens the health disparities among adults living in the US.
Figure 1 Adjusted Mean Annual Health Care Expenditures from Vijay N. Joish et al. (Estimation of Annual Health Care Costs for Adults with Type 1 Diabetes in the United States). This dataset shows the annual healthcare costs for individuals with diabetes in the U.S.
I. Factors in Diabetes Management for Low-Income Individuals
There are many health disparities that low-income individuals with diabetes face. Numerous barriers affect them, such as racial and ethnic disparities, food insecurity, access to care, and healthcare costs. The obstacles they face hinder their ability to detect diabetes and get the proper care, as well as to obtain the necessary medications to treat their disease, such as Ozempic. First, they are more likely to have diabetes compared to average-income adults. As the CDC states, low-income individuals have a 14.3% prevalence rate of diabetes compared to average- and higher-income individuals, who have a 7.3% diabetes prevalence rate (CDC, 2020). Some low-income individuals cannot afford regular doctor visits, which results in late diagnoses and, consequently, poor management of their diabetes.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
According to the CDC, low-income communities often include higher percentages of racial and ethnic minorities who face compounded health disparities related to diabetes (CDC, 2021).
Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is prevalent among low-income individuals, who often lack access to healthy foods due to their inability to afford whole or organic options. As a result, they turn to processed, less nutritious foods, which can worsen their diabetes. According to the USDA, the average family of four in the U.S. spends between $569 and $1,298 monthly on groceries, with healthy foods adding an extra $1.50 per person per day, or about $547.50 annually per individual. For a family of four, eating healthier could cost an additional $2,190 per year—an expense many families cannot afford, leading them to choose cheaper alternatives. While doctors recommend a balanced diet, exercise, medications, specialized treatments, and blood sugar monitoring to manage diabetes, the high cost of healthy foods often forces low-income individuals to prioritize affordability over nutrition, risking their health in the process.
Access To Care
Access to care refers to the ability to use health services promptly to achieve the best health outcomes. It includes several factors, such as insurance coverage, timeliness, having a regular source of care, and having qualified providers within reach. Therefore, access, when evaluated by how services are used, relies on factors like affordability, physical availability, and the acceptability of services, rather than just the availability of resources (Gulliford, 2002). Access to care is especially important for diabetes management, as it allows patients to easily find medical care locally, afford the care, and have their healthcare needs met.
Healthcare Costs
Healthcare costs can become burdensome. Currently, diabetes-related healthcare costs are skyrocketing, and some low-income individuals may face high out-of-pocket expenses for certain medications and treatments, which adds an extra burden to their lives.
As diabetes patients attend doctor visits and hospitalizations, they may miss work, resulting in lost income. According to the ADA, diabetes treatment accounts for about one in four healthcare dollars spent in the U.S., significantly affecting insurance premiums (ADA, 2021). Insurance policies and coverage vary, which can impact the personal cost of managing diabetes. Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA), 33% of low-income adults with diabetes were uninsured; after its implementation, 6% remained uninsured (Wampler, 2019). The ACA aimed to make health insurance more affordable and accessible to more Americans. Complicating this initiative is that insurance coverage varies by state and plan, with certain preferred pharmacies and coverage levels that affect the affordability of diabetes medications.
Figure 2 Retail price of insulin per unit by quarter. Some insulin products, such as Afrezza, Xultophy, and Soliqua, continue to see price increases.
Figure 3 Percentage of U.S. adults with diabetes who were prescribed medication and attempted to reduce prescription drug costs, 2017-2018. Data from the CDC.
GoodRx, a healthcare company that helps patients find lower prices for prescriptions and health services, states that the lowest price available for popular medications like the Dexcom G7 is $373, given that there are no generic alternatives available. This price is likely out of reach for many low-income individuals. Other alternative effective drugs and treatments, such as the FreeStyle Libre 3 and Generic Relion, are more afforable and cost between $75 and $175–however, this may still be out of budget for these individuals.
Figure 4 Retail prices of mixed insulins by type, 2022-2023. The graph, sourced from GoodRx, shows the retail prices for Insulin Lispro, Insulin Isophane, and Insulin Aspart, categorized by the three main types of diabetes. Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin that begins working 10-15 minutes after injection, peaks 30-90 minutes later, and lasts less than 5 hours. Insulin Isophane is a slower-acting insulin, starting to work 1-2 hours after injection, peaking 4-10 hours later, and lasting more than 14 hours. Insulin Aspart is another rapid-acting insulin, starting to work 10-15 minutes after injection, peaking around 60-90 minutes, and lasting 4-5 hours. The prices of these insulins vary depending on the type and packaging.
There are cheaper options such as BigFoot Unity and Unilet, both brand-name medications that cost around $5.40-$6.47. However, BigFoot Unity is a relatively new drug, as it was manufactured in 2021 and still does not have substantial data supporting its effectiveness, and Unilet, which is a range of lancets, a small double-edged surgical knife used to make incisions, is not specific to diabetes, as it is used for self-management and blood testing, which would be utilized alongside another diabetes blood sugar tester. In "First Real-World Experience of BigFoot Unity: A 6-Month Retrospective Analysis" by Bantwal Baliga et al., researchers analyzed real-world clinical outcomes of 58 patients from 13 different clinics. The results showed that adults with an average age of 62 spent a relatively short amount of time in the hypoglycemic range, meaning they experienced low blood sugar for a brief period. However, this data does not prove that it is a significant and effective medication, as it is still relatively new, and little research has been conducted to prove its effectiveness. Diabetes has a huge economic toll on families, as they must allocate more money to medications, medical bills, and healthcare costs than to other necessities or wants. Additionally, numerous health disparities affect low-income individuals with diabetes, and now that we understand what they are, we can begin to work on limiting and lowering these disparities.
II. The Effect of Weight-Loss Trends on Access to Diabetes Medication
Weight loss trends have distorted access to critical diabetes medication. Obesity is a chronic disease that occurs when a person has an abnormal amount of body fat, which can harm their health. To manage obesity, doctors recommend lifestyle changes, medications such as appetite suppressants and thermogenics, and bariatric surgery for individuals with severe obesity (Haddad, 2023). Diabetes medication helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body while also slowing the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, which makes you feel full faster and for longer, leading to significantly reduced food intake. Since diabetes medication has similar effects to weight-loss medication, its use for managing obesity has become more popular, shifting its focus away from its primary purpose of managing blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. In A Comprehensive Review of Weight-Loss Associated with Anti-Diabetic Medications, Haddad explores how two of the five FDA-approved drugs for weight loss, liraglutide and semaglutide, are also FDA-approved for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a chronic disease where the body does not produce sufficient insulin or use it properly, resulting in high blood sugar levels. Her findings showed that Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, a hormone found in several type 2 diabetes medications that help regulate blood sugar by stimulating insulin production and slowing digestion, had the greatest impact on weight loss and showed promise as weight-loss treatments. Due to the weight-loss side effects of diabetes medication, its use for obesity management has gained popularity. Social media and celebrity endorsements have turned diabetes medication into a weight-loss trend, distorting access to these medications by creating shortages, increasing prices, and prioritizing personal use, making it harder for patients with diabetes to obtain the drugs they need.
The social media trend surrounding diabetes drugs like Ozempic and their effectiveness for weight loss has surged, despite the medication's primary purpose of treating type 2 diabetes. As the media hype increases, so does the demand for Ozempic. People who hear about its weight-loss benefits and can afford the medication often seek it for personal use. As the demand grows and manufacturing companies are required to produce more, the price of Ozempic rises. However, demand alone is not the only factor driving up prices. Manufacturing costs, supply chain issues, and insurance coverage all contribute to the rising cost of Ozempic. In 2022, many manufacturers reported challenges impacting the production and distribution of Ozempic (FDA, 2022). As demand for Ozempic increases, insurance companies may raise co-pays or limit coverage options, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs (ADA, 2022). In other words, as demand for Ozempic rises, insurance companies may require patients to pay more or limit their coverage, forcing individuals to spend more money to access the medication.
Social media trends exacerbate health disparities by promoting Ozempic for weight loss instead of its intended role in treating diabetes. Medications that are crucial for diabetes treatment will be used by higher-income individuals for weight-loss purposes since they can afford the drug (Wang, 2022). These trends glamorize the weight loss impacts of the drug, which encourages more people who want to lose weight to seek Ozempic as a viable option, as they see the positive results from others on social media. People may begin to think that it is socially and ethically acceptable to take medication for personal needs rather than medical necessity. This will widen the access gap, and doctors and healthcare providers will face pressure to prescribe Ozempic and other diabetes medications to those who want them for personal use. Due to shortages in Ozempic and price increases for the drug, this life-saving medication becomes unavailable to those who need it for their health (Agarwal, 2022). As Ozempic becomes more popular, it becomes more lucrative, and corporations are incentivized to wrongfully treat it as a designer drug, focusing more on the profits they can make from it than on ensuring proper regulation and quality control. A designer drug is a synthetic version of a drug with a slightly altered molecular structure to avoid it being classified as an illicit drug (Merriam-Webster).
Social media influences celebrities, who get paid for many of their videos supporting certain companies and brands (Marshall, 2023). Celebrity endorsements of Ozempic have increased demand for the drug, as people look to celebrities and aspire to achieve their ideal bodies. When celebrities like Elon Musk and Amy Schumer shared their experiences with Ozempic, it triggered a surge in demand among individuals seeking similar results (People.com).
They believe that by taking this medication, they can reach their weight-loss goals. TikTok is a platform where many people share their weight-loss journeys, and there are numerous videos on TikTok mentioning people who are planning to take or have taken Ozempic for weight loss and its positive effects.
III. The Rise of Ozempic and Its Effects on Low-Income Individuals
As Ozempic prices rise, low-income individuals resort to cheaper, less effective medications or even harmful alternatives, as they cannot afford their medication (Rayasam, 2024). Low-income individuals may use older, inexpensive, and less effective drugs that might not be effective in managing their diabetes. These individuals might also try to skip or stretch medication by taking less than the prescribed dose or by skipping a day so they can make the medication last longer. Some individuals might also delay treatment and avoid taking medication that may be preventive and necessary, choosing instead to wait until their health condition worsens before purchasing the essential drugs. In an attempt to save money, low-income individuals resort to harmful alternatives, such as over-the-counter or cheap home remedies, because the medication they need is too expensive, which amplifies the existing health disparity. Overall, these alternatives can worsen their health and increase the risk of complications such as heart disease, amputation, blindness, and kidney failure. Additionally, by taking these alternatives, they face numerous health risks that could prolong recovery from this chronic condition.
Medical Necessity Vs. Individual Need
Those who cannot afford Ozempic turn to harmful diets and trends as influencers and content creators create dangerous “budget Ozempic” concoctions, which often contain various vegetable and herbal mixtures, as well as laxatives and stool softeners (Schimelpfening, 2024). This has an overall harmful impact on the body, as diabetes patients who cannot afford Ozempic turn to these alternatives by ingesting unprescribed medications and drinking absurd concoctions in the hope of getting the same effects as Ozempic, but on a budget.
Highlighting the ethics of medicine and drug misuse, it is crucial to understand the effect social media has on diabetes and how it connects to health disparities. Low-income individuals with diabetes who cannot afford their medication resort to alternative methods that can further harm their bodies and exacerbate their diabetes. Medical necessities are medications or treatments a patient needs that are essential to a person's health. It is a treatment, medication, or service necessary to treat or prevent a serious medical condition, and it is crucial to one’s health and overall well-being (Mass.gov). Individual desire refers to using something for personal goals or wants rather than necessity. It can be used for convenience or to improve one's quality of life, but it is not essential to their health. As people buy this diabetes medication to reach their weight-loss goals, they are using it for their individual desire rather than as a medical necessity.
There is no clear distinction that separates medical necessity from individual need, which results in significant gaps in healthcare delivery. From one healthcare provider to another, each may differ in their opinion of what constitutes a medical necessity, depending on each doctor's guidelines. Some doctors might think medication is necessary for one’s health, while others might think a patient can live without it, seeing it as something that improves quality of life but is not essential. There are also insurance limitations, which means a person might think medication is necessary for their well-being, while an insurance company does not, resulting in the medication being uninsured and the patient facing higher out-of-pocket costs. Some chronic conditions, such as obesity, which greatly affect a person’s well-being and health, might be considered a medical necessity for one person, while someone else might think it is more of an individual desire than a medical need. Lastly, some people might not have the education to help them make informed decisions about their health (Hall, 2022). They might need medication; however, they don't understand where to get it, the difficult terminology and issues surrounding the topic, or how to get their insurance to pay for it. Even if it is a medical necessity, they may undermine its importance and think of it more as an individual need. These factors have an overall negative effect on patients, which is why it is important to establish a clear and concrete distinction between medical necessity and individual desire to limit health disparities and lower the gaps in healthcare delivery.
This affects pharmaceutical companies, as they profit from developing lifestyle drugs, which are medications used to improve a person's quality of life instead of addressing an important medical condition, leading to the manufacture of these drugs for weight loss rather than for treating diabetes. An increased demand for Ozempic raises prices, and as people seek Ozempic for weight loss, it has led to shortages of these medications for those who need them most (Fick, 2024).
Market Competition
Similarly, as people observe how Ozempic is effective in weight loss, other similar drugs with the same effect have also gone up in price. For example, Wegovy, another drug made by the same manufacturer as Ozempic (Novo Nordisk), specifically for weight loss, costs around $1,300 per month, leading to market competition as pharmaceutical companies compete to introduce new drugs with the same effects as Ozempic.
The diabetes drug market includes Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Eli Lilly, Merck & Co., AstraZeneca, Takeda, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, and Bayer. However, the insulin market is ruled by the "big three" companies: Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, and Eli Lilly, which comprise over 90% of the global insulin market (Herman, 2021). As these companies compete to develop the latest and most effective diabetes medications, the prices for these drugs continue to rise. This growing competition puts pressure on each company to produce the most effective, reasonably priced, and appealing medication for patients. Additionally, more companies may enter the market in hopes of profiting from the demand for diabetes treatments. In the long run, large companies stand to benefit from this demand. However, as production increases, there may be regulatory concerns, as medications might not undergo thorough inspection or regulation. Companies may prioritize speed over safety, rushing to release drugs without ensuring they meet the necessary safety standards. The long-term effect on individuals is the affordability of the medication; as demand increases, the price could rise. This would widen the healthcare gap, as many people would be unable to afford these drugs. With the rise of companies and competitors making the drug, insurance might not cover diabetes medication, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs, or, since demand is increasing, the drugs will become inaccessible.
How does Market Competition Affect Low-Income Individuals?
According to the CDC, about 28 million Americans remain uninsured as of 2022, many of whom are low-income individuals. As Ozempic prices rise, low-income individuals without comprehensive or adequate insurance plans will have to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for this medication. The more expensive the medication, the less likely they are to buy it, which hinders their health significantly.
Additionally, the ADA states that low-income individuals are 50% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those with higher incomes. With increased popularity, the cost of Ozempic and other diabetes medications rises, creating difficulty for low-income individuals to access this medication due to the increased cost, and there may be shortages due to the higher demand. As low-income individuals are already more prone to developing Type 2 diabetes, they may find it hard to afford life-saving drugs such as Ozempic. Both the shortages and costs deter low-income individuals from being able to afford the drug, and due to their limited access to the medication, their health deteriorates. When low-income individuals cannot afford medications to manage their Type 2 diabetes, their blood sugar is uncontrolled, and their health declines. The CDC
reports that “low-income populations with diabetes are twice as likely to suffer complications, such as amputations or hospitalizations, when compared to higher-income individuals who can afford better treatments” (CDC 2024). Instead of spending money on necessary medication, low-income individuals with diabetes are willing to sacrifice their health at the cost of their livelihood, further worsening the health disparity.
Individual & Societal Impacts of this Health Disparity
As the prices of Ozempic and other diabetes medications rise to hundreds of dollars per month, low-income individuals will struggle to afford the medication they desperately need. Those who can afford these medications may use them for unintended purposes, further limiting access and contributing to shortages. Additionally, low-income individuals with diabetes may seek out alternative, cheaper options that may not be effective and could potentially jeopardize their health. These factors will likely cause their health to deteriorate and their diabetes to worsen, as the stress of being unable to access necessary medication can exacerbate their mental health. Without access to proper treatment, their ability to control blood sugar and manage diabetes effectively will decline over time.
The more expensive medications are, the wider the healthcare gap in medication accessibility, as fewer people can afford essential drugs. It deepens health disparities between different socioeconomic groups. The popularity of Ozempic could lead pharmaceutical industries and markets to focus on weight loss instead of diabetes. The pharmaceutical companies could care more about the pricing and revenue they will get from the medication instead of trying to focus on managing diabetes. This also affects the social and ethical impacts of drug use, as people will normalize using medication for personal needs instead of medical necessity.
Numerous social and ethical dilemmas arise when prioritizing profits over addressing a public health need. By prioritizing off-label use, such as weight loss and obesity management, the public will think it is okay to buy medications for their own needs instead of medical necessity. This will encourage pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers to focus only on making money from diabetes medication instead of focusing on making it an effective drug for patients with diabetes. As a result, this life-saving drug can become a hot commodity for only those who can afford it, leaving those who need it without the medication they require. Profit over public health leads to significant inequalities. It widens the health disparities as the rising cost and risk of drug shortages of Ozempic raise ethical concerns around fairness and the role of medication in healthcare. Life-saving drugs, such as Ozempic, should serve those with medical necessity, as healthcare should prioritize those who need it most over market and profit-driven interests.
In a poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2024, around 30% of adults report not taking their prescription meds because they are too pricey. One in five adults say they would rather use over-the-counter drugs to avoid filling an expensive prescription, while some say they skip or take a smaller dose than they are prescribed. However, it is important not to blame low-income individuals, as they often lack the necessary health education to fully understand the detrimental effects of not taking their medication. Many people with diabetes are unaware of the risks associated with neglecting their treatment or failing to properly manage their condition. Diabetes is often called a "silent disease" because individuals can feel fine even when their blood sugar levels are dangerously high. Due to limited health literacy, people may struggle to comprehend the seriousness of their condition. Without proper medical knowledge, especially for low-income individuals, they may not realize how harmful skipping medication can be, and the long-term consequences of uncontrolled diabetes—such as heart disease and kidney failure—may go unrecognized.
IV. Proposed Solution
Having discussed the issues surrounding Ozempic's rising popularity and its impact on low-income individuals, it is now crucial to explore potential solutions to address these challenges and reduce health disparities. When evaluating the cost of diabetes medications, there are more affordable and effective alternatives available for low-income individuals. Medications like Metformin cost as little as $4 per month and are effective in improving the body's insulin sensitivity and reducing glucose production in the liver (Corcoran 2023). Glipizide, also known as Sulfonylurea, costs around $10-$20 for the generic version and works by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin, thus helping to lower blood sugar levels (Correa 2023). Pioglitazone (Thiazolidinedione) is priced at $4-$10 for the generic form and enhances insulin sensitivity in muscle and fat cells, which helps lower blood sugar levels. Additionally, there are several accessibility programs dedicated to making diabetes medications more affordable and accessible to low-income individuals.
GoodRx is a healthcare company that focuses on medical literacy and providing the public with knowledge about different diseases. GoodRx utilizes simple language to describe complex diseases, provides data and information on affordable medications, coupons, and discounts on drugs, and helps patients find affordable medications at certain pharmacies. Similarly, NeedyMeds and RxAssist help patients find financial assistance for purchasing medications. The Lilly Cares Foundation and Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program also provide free insulin and other diabetes medications to eligible individuals. When doctors diagnose individuals with diabetes, especially low-income patients, they should recommend utilizing these resources.
Doctors and other healthcare providers should ensure that patients are only prescribed medications like Ozempic if they have the appropriate diagnosis. Pharmacies can collaborate with healthcare workers by ensuring that prescriptions are valid and verified, consulting with the prescriber, and monitoring quantity limits and refills. For patients with a primary goal of losing weight, doctors should encourage using specialized weight-loss drugs that suit their needs, as well as counter the spread of misinformation over social media. Although social media trends have contributed to the increased use of Ozempic, the guidance of healthcare providers remains the most influential factor in shaping public understanding and the information shared en masse.
Looking ahead, pharmaceutical companies must reduce the cost of diabetes medications to make them more affordable for low-income individuals. Additionally, insurance companies should broaden their coverage to classify diabetes medications as a medical necessity, ensuring that low-income patients are not burdened with exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses. There should also be an increase in the availability of generic options for brand-name drugs. Price regulation by both pharmaceutical companies and through government policies can help lower the cost of diabetes medications while encouraging drug manufacturers to implement patient assistance programs. Reducing medication costs will make essential treatments more accessible for low-income individuals, addressing health disparities and enabling them to manage their health more effectively.
Conclusion
The rise of Ozempic as a weight loss trend has significantly impacted access to essential diabetes medication for low-income individuals. As demand increases, prices surge and shortages occur, creating barriers for those who rely on these drugs to manage their health, and low-income patients are disproportionately affected. As health disparities are exacerbated, the health and safety of vulnerable populations are compromised, and this often leads to potentially harmful alternatives. As such, there is a blurred line between medical necessity and individual desire, which raises ethical concerns about the prioritization of commercial profits over public health. Addressing this issue requires action from healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and government policy. Pharmaceutical companies should reduce costs and allow generic forms of drugs to be sold. Doctors should ensure diabetes drugs like Ozempic are primarily being prescribed for diabetes control rather than weight loss, and accordingly, the use of appropriate weight-loss drugs should be standard. Furthermore, health literacy of the population should be promoted, utilizing resources such as GoodRx. To promote long-term, standardized changes across the United States, federal policy should aim to reduce drug costs. Without intervention, the widening healthcare gap will continue to disproportionately affect low-income individuals with diabetes, potentially leading to severe health complications and further deepening societal inequalities.
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