As we delve into the world of pharmaceuticals, one hot topic that has recently come to light is the shortage of Eli Lilly’s popular weight loss drug, Zepbound, and its diabetes counterpart, Mounjaro. According to the Food and Drug Administration’s drug shortage database, most doses of these medications, with the exception of the 2.5-milligram versions, will be in short supply through the second quarter of this year due to a surge in demand.
The demand for these drugs, which fall under the category of incretin drugs, has been steadily rising as more and more patients turn to them to aid in weight loss and blood sugar regulation. These medications mimic gut hormones to suppress appetite and help regulate blood sugar levels, making them a sought-after solution for many individuals.
In response to the shortage, Eli Lilly has been working tirelessly to ramp up production. The company announced in February that it has doubled its production capacity for incretin drugs and plans to continue expanding production throughout the year. By the second half of 2023, Eli Lilly expects its production of sellable doses of these medications to be at least 1.5 times higher than in the previous year.
Furthermore, Eli Lilly is making strides to increase production capacity even further by opening a new plant in Concord, North Carolina, with products expected to be available for shipping in 2025. The company also has plans to build additional facilities in Germany and Indiana over the next few years to meet the growing demand for these medications.
In the midst of Eli Lilly’s efforts, its main competitor, Novo Nordisk, is also facing shortages of its weight loss drug, Wegovy, and its diabetes counterpart, Ozempic. With both players in the pharmaceutical industry working diligently to address the supply shortage, patients can hope to see improvements in availability in the near future.
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