‘Nature’s Ozempic’ a ‘scam’ — but these 3 obesity drugs are seeing stunning results

globalnews.ca:

Since Ozempic and Wegovy crashed into the spotlight early this year, numerous other experimental drugs — and one natural remedy — have been trying to replicate its success.

While the supplement being touted as “Nature’s Ozempic,” berberine, has experts raising their eyebrows, doctors are getting excited about new hormonal treatments for obesity that may be more effective than Ozempic, according to early-stage clinical trials.

Ozempic is approved in Canada as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, though it has garnered headlines for its off-label use as a weight-loss drug. That’s because the medical ingredient in Ozempic, called semaglutide, is the exact same ingredient that makes up Wegovy, a drug specifically approved for obesity treatment.

Wegovy was approved for use in Canada two years ago, yet no one in the country has ever received a Wegovy prescription because of persistent supply problems.

In its absence, doctors have been prescribing Ozempic to treat obese patients — a practice that has received backlash over worries that it would keep the drugs out of the hands of diabetics. Canada is currently experiencing a shortage of the 1 mg dose of Ozempic, as of Aug. 21, which is expected to end in early October.

“Addressing this intermittent shortage is a top priority,” Health Canada said. “Together with our partners, Health Canada is looking at ways to conserve existing supply, expedite resupplies to pharmacies and access foreign-authorized supply or alternatives, where possible, during this temporary shortage.”

It’s clear that accessing Ozempic, or rather, semaglutide, isn’t easy. It also comes with a hefty price tag, about $200 to $300 a month, because Ozempic isn’t typically covered for weight loss under insurance plans,