A statewide shortage of drugs to treat diabetes and prevent cardiovascular disease is hitting Alabama. Ralph Sorrell, pharmacist at Ritch’s Pharmacy in Mountain Brook, said patients using GLP-1 injectable drugs like Ozempic lose 10-15% of their body weight. The drugs have recently gained popularity on social media for their weight loss effects. Sorrell said the demand was too great for the supply. Many are turning to teledocs for prescriptions, which Sorrell says skews the distribution. “Today, people just don’t have the same relationship with their GPs that they used to, and times have changed,” Sorell said. “Some people are more interested in getting things off the internet than they are face-to-face.” Sorrell said these drugs can be extremely effective, but for those who aren’t at risk of cardiovascular disease or don’t have diabetes sufferers should exercise caution when looking for these weight loss drugs.” “If you’re really overweight, that’s a great thing. ‘ Sorell said. “If you’re a gym rat trying to get a six pack or a woman trying to go down a dress size, this isn’t for you. The risk factors outweigh the benefits.” He said side effects could include thyroid problems or pancreatitis.
A statewide shortage of drugs to treat diabetes and prevent cardiovascular disease is hitting Alabama.
Ralph Sorrell, pharmacist at Ritch’s Pharmacy in Mountain Brook, said patients using GLP-1 injectable drugs like Ozempic lose 10-15% of their body weight. The drugs have recently gained popularity on social media for their weight loss effects. Sorrell said the demand was too great for the supply. Many are turning to teledocs for prescriptions, which Sorrell says skews the distribution.
“Today, people just don’t have the same relationship with their GPs that they used to, and times have changed,” Sorell said. “Some people are more interested in getting things off the internet than in person.”
Sorrell said these drugs can be extremely effective, but those who aren’t at risk for cardiovascular disease or don’t have diabetes should exercise discretion when looking for these weight-loss drugs.
“If you’re really overweight, that’s a great thing,” Sorrell said. “If you’re a gym rat trying to get a six pack or a woman trying to go down a dress size, this isn’t for you. The risk factors outweigh the benefits.”
He said side effects could include thyroid problems or pancreatitis.