Hello and welcome to Health Briefs. Today we’re talking about a growing crisis for patients using GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide. These drugs, branded as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, have transformed diabetes and obesity care—but shortages and steep costs left many people stranded.

Enter compounding pharmacies, which stepped in with “copycat” versions at a fraction of the price. For patients like Michael Futter from New Jersey, these generics were a lifeline. “I could finally manage my weight and keep my blood sugar in check,” he says.

But this workaround drew the FDA’s ire. Earlier this year, regulators sent warning letters declaring many compounded GLP-1 products “unapproved new drugs.” Now those lower-cost alternatives are vanishing.

As one FDA official put it, “Without these copycats, many patients will have no way to access these medicines.” With branded supplies still tight—and prices sky-high—patients are left with few options. That’s all for today’s Health Briefs. Thanks for listening.
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