Tammie Rachell Largent-Phillips, a 52-year-old with Type 2 diabetes, has managed the condition over the past two years using a drug called Ozempic, which helps people with diabetes keep blood sugar levels in check.
But in November, she was forced to switch to another medication, insulin. The Ozempic she needed was no longer available at her pharmacy.
In recent months, demand for the drug has soared, colliding with global supply issues. Together, it's led to a shortage of Ozempic.
But the popularity of Ozempic, or semaglutide, isn't because of rising rates of diabetes. Instead, it's because of its weight loss benefits, doctors say. At a higher dose, semaglutide is used for weight loss.
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Without medication, people with Type 2 diabetes risk blood sugar spikes that can potentially lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, hearing loss and stroke.
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