Latest news with #Trulicity
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Surgery risk flagged for popular weight-loss, diabetes drugs in new warning
Surgery risks have been highlighted in a new warning for users of popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said there was a "known potential" for these medicines to delay the passage of food through the stomach which adds a "potential risk" for patients under general anaesthesia or deep sedation. The TGA warning advised patients to tell their health professionals, including anaesthetists, if they are taking one of these medicines before surgery or a procedure. The usual fasting period before these procedures may not empty the stomach sufficiently, the TGA warned. The warning covers glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 RAs. Six medicines are currently marketed in Australia: GLP-1 RAs Ozempic, Trulicity and Victoza for the management of adults with type 2 diabetes, and Saxenda and Wegovy for chronic weight management. GIP/GLP-1 RA Mounjaro for both type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. Seven cases of aspiration and one case of pneumonia aspiration for semaglutide, one case of aspiration and one case of pneumonia aspiration for liraglutide and one case of pneumonia aspiration for dulaglutide were identified in a search of the publicly available Database of Adverse Event Notification (DAEN). All cases were reported with a single suspected medicine according to the TGA. They have required the product information for each medicine to be updated on the risks. The full details of the update is found on the TGA website here. Surgery risks have been highlighted in a new warning for users of popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said there was a "known potential" for these medicines to delay the passage of food through the stomach which adds a "potential risk" for patients under general anaesthesia or deep sedation. The TGA warning advised patients to tell their health professionals, including anaesthetists, if they are taking one of these medicines before surgery or a procedure. The usual fasting period before these procedures may not empty the stomach sufficiently, the TGA warned. The warning covers glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 RAs. Six medicines are currently marketed in Australia: GLP-1 RAs Ozempic, Trulicity and Victoza for the management of adults with type 2 diabetes, and Saxenda and Wegovy for chronic weight management. GIP/GLP-1 RA Mounjaro for both type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. Seven cases of aspiration and one case of pneumonia aspiration for semaglutide, one case of aspiration and one case of pneumonia aspiration for liraglutide and one case of pneumonia aspiration for dulaglutide were identified in a search of the publicly available Database of Adverse Event Notification (DAEN). All cases were reported with a single suspected medicine according to the TGA. They have required the product information for each medicine to be updated on the risks. The full details of the update is found on the TGA website here. Surgery risks have been highlighted in a new warning for users of popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said there was a "known potential" for these medicines to delay the passage of food through the stomach which adds a "potential risk" for patients under general anaesthesia or deep sedation. The TGA warning advised patients to tell their health professionals, including anaesthetists, if they are taking one of these medicines before surgery or a procedure. The usual fasting period before these procedures may not empty the stomach sufficiently, the TGA warned. The warning covers glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 RAs. Six medicines are currently marketed in Australia: GLP-1 RAs Ozempic, Trulicity and Victoza for the management of adults with type 2 diabetes, and Saxenda and Wegovy for chronic weight management. GIP/GLP-1 RA Mounjaro for both type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. Seven cases of aspiration and one case of pneumonia aspiration for semaglutide, one case of aspiration and one case of pneumonia aspiration for liraglutide and one case of pneumonia aspiration for dulaglutide were identified in a search of the publicly available Database of Adverse Event Notification (DAEN). All cases were reported with a single suspected medicine according to the TGA. They have required the product information for each medicine to be updated on the risks. The full details of the update is found on the TGA website here. Surgery risks have been highlighted in a new warning for users of popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said there was a "known potential" for these medicines to delay the passage of food through the stomach which adds a "potential risk" for patients under general anaesthesia or deep sedation. The TGA warning advised patients to tell their health professionals, including anaesthetists, if they are taking one of these medicines before surgery or a procedure. The usual fasting period before these procedures may not empty the stomach sufficiently, the TGA warned. The warning covers glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 RAs. Six medicines are currently marketed in Australia: GLP-1 RAs Ozempic, Trulicity and Victoza for the management of adults with type 2 diabetes, and Saxenda and Wegovy for chronic weight management. GIP/GLP-1 RA Mounjaro for both type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. Seven cases of aspiration and one case of pneumonia aspiration for semaglutide, one case of aspiration and one case of pneumonia aspiration for liraglutide and one case of pneumonia aspiration for dulaglutide were identified in a search of the publicly available Database of Adverse Event Notification (DAEN). All cases were reported with a single suspected medicine according to the TGA. They have required the product information for each medicine to be updated on the risks. The full details of the update is found on the TGA website here.
Health Line
3 days ago
- Business
- Health Line
Does Medicare Cover Trulicity?
Medicare Part D plans and some Part C plans may cover Trulicity (dulaglutide) for diabetes, but the exact coverage depends on the plan. Such plans will only cover this drug for weight loss in certain cases if you're living with obesity. Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a drug belonging to the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) class of medications. Diabetes affects 38.4 million people in the United States, or 11.6% of the population. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved this drug to help manage type 2 diabetes and reduce the chance of developing heart disease. For this reason, although GLP-1s may be prescribed off-label for weight loss, Medicare Part D plans may cover this drug for diabetes management but not for weight loss, except under specific circumstances. Is Trulicity covered by Medicare Part B? Medicare is generally divided into the following parts: Original Medicare (parts A and B) Medicare Part D Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) Medigap Part B Part B mainly covers medications that you cannot administer yourself, such as IV infusions, for example. While Trulicity is an injection drug, it is one that you can inject yourself. For this reason, Medicare Part D would be responsible for covering a drug like Trulicity. Part D Since private insurers manage Part D plans, the exact drugs that each plan covers vary. What drugs a specific plan covers depends on its formulary, which is a list of the covered drugs. Part D plans are generally required to cover at least two drugs from the most commonly prescribed categories. If the plan does not cover Trulicity (dulaglutide), it is likely to cover some brand-name or generic alternative. Medicare's plan finder tool allows you to enter medications you take to see which Part D plans in your area include these medications in their formulary. The tool also lets you compare prices at different pharmacies in your area. Part C Medicare Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is another option for healthcare coverage under Medicare. These optional, private plans offer the same benefits as Original Medicare. Some Part C plans may also offer other benefits, such as prescription drug coverage. Coverage for specific medications under a Medicare Advantage plan depends on the options and plans that the company you choose offers. When selecting a Medicare Advantage plan, you can specify medications you take to compare coverage and pricing. Why doesn't Medicare cover Trulicity for weight loss? Medicare drug plans typically cover medications when they are considered medically necessary. Therefore, Part D plans or Part C plans with drug coverage won't cover GLP-1 agonists like Trulicity for weight loss. Typically, coverage focuses on FDA-approved uses such as helping manage type 2 diabetes or lowering cardiovascular risks for overweight adults or those living with obesity. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. This means you could have a BMI between 25 and 30, but would not qualify for a drug like Trulicity through Medicare unless you need it for diabetes. Under the Biden administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) looked into expanding coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss by 2026. However, the Trump administration has since decided against this expansion. How much does Trulicity cost on Medicare? Trulicity's list price is $987.19 per month, but insurance or Medicare coverage may lower this cost. When a Medicare drug plan covers a drug, how much you'll pay out of pocket depends on the tier your plan classifies the drug within its formulary. Generally, higher-tier drugs cost more. Copays for this medication will vary based on the plan you choose, but the manufacturer suggests a range of $0 to $100 per month after you've met your Medicare Part D deductible. Generic drugs are generally classified in a lower tier, but no generic Trulicity is currently available. How can I lower the cost of Trulicity? Trulicity's manufacturer offers a savings card through which you can get a one-month supply of Trulicity for as little as $25. However, you won't be able to use your Medicare plan if you want this discount. Alternatively, you can check whether you qualify for Extra Help, which can lower your prescription costs to $4 to $9. Other resources for lowering drug costs include: Other tips that may help lower your prescription drug costs include: Ask your doctor about less expensive generic options. Consider switching from a 30-day supply to a 90-day supply for your medications, as buying a larger supply upfront can provide cost savings. Consider a mail-order supplier to save on costs. What is a cheaper alternative to Trulicity? The following chart shows GLP-1 agonists currently available in the United States and their brand-name retail prices before insurance. Available generic versions usually cost less. Brand name (generic name) List price as of 2025 Wegovy (semaglutide) $1,349.02 Ozempic (semaglutide) $997.58 Rybelsus (semaglutide $997.58 Mounjaro (tirzepatide) $1,079.77 Zepbound (tirzepatide) $1,086.37 Saxenda (liraglutide) $1,349.02 Victoza (liraglutide) $543.51 or $815.27 (depending on dose) Trulicity (dulaglutide) $987.19 In addition, other diabetes medications can be covered by Medicare. CMS included several of these drugs in the list of 10 drugs it used to renegotiate prices as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Takeaway Trulicity is a long-lasting brand-name medication that can be quite effective at lowering high blood sugar levels due to type 2 diabetes. It is not a substitute for insulin or diet and lifestyle strategies for managing diabetes. There is no generic version of this medication. It is typically a tier 3 medication in most drug plan formulary lists. Many Medicare Part D plans include Trulicity on formularies, but you'll likely still pay a share of the costs. The cost you'll pay will depend on your specific plan. A variety of private and public programs offer extra help in covering your medication costs. You can also talk with your doctor about an affordable way to manage diabetes. The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance.
Gulf Insider
26-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Why Are Prescription Drug Prices So High in America? A Global Price Comparison
Prescription drugs cost more in the United States than anywhere else in the world. President Donald Trump and some bipartisan senators want to change that. Trump has so far issued several actions related to prescription drug prices. The latest, announced May 12, is a Most Favored Nation Prescription Drug policy, requiring pharmaceutical companies to offer their lowest price to U.S. customers. An earlier order aimed to ensure that the middlemen in the drug supply chain can't hold on to rebates provided by pharmaceutical companies and instead must pass savings on to Medicare beneficiaries. In all, the president has taken at least a dozen actions to reduce prescription drug costs, while no less than nine Senate bills aim for the same results. Some of these ideas have been introduced before. Trump's Most Favored Nation pricing plan was introduced near the end of his first term. The plan was stalled by court challenges, and President Joe Biden dropped it shortly after taking office. A plan to make vendors pass manufacturer discounts on to Medicare beneficiaries was proposed in 2020. Biden rescinded it before it took effect. There have been modest successes, including a pilot program begun by Trump in 2020 to cap insulin costs for Medicare Part B beneficiaries at $35 per month. At the time, a single vial of insulin cost about $100 in the United States. That program was a success, and the idea was later broadened to include all Medicare beneficiaries through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. By 2024, most major drug companies had voluntarily limited out-of-pocket expenses for insulin for all U.S. customers to $35. Yet Americans still pay nearly three times as much for prescription medication as any peer nation, often even more. Trulicity, a medication for Type 2 diabetics, was listed for $67 in France, according to a 2021 Government Accountability Report. In the United States, it cost $798. Meanwhile, Remlivid, an oral cancer medication, was listed for $4,723 in Australia. In the United States, it was listed at almost five times that price: $22,048. Gross prices given in U.S. dollars Drug Name United States Australia Ontario, Canada France Xarelto Oral Tablet 15mg 471 64 78 67 Trulicity Subcutaneious Solution 1.5mg, 5ml 798 Not Covered Not Covered 89 Tremfya Subcutaneous Solution 100mg / 1ml 11,437 2,594 Not Covered 1,991 Remlivid Oral Capsule 5mg 22,048 4,723 7,716 Not Covered Why? One answer is that other governments leverage the power of their national health plans to control pricing, while the United States lacks a comprehensive national prescription drug strategy. The solution, according to at least one senator, is to stop putting patches on a broken system and take a comprehensive approach to regulating the entire pharmaceutical supply chain. Some nations can negotiate low prices for prescription drugs because they have national health care plans, which gives them near complete control over the drug market. Here's how that works for some, according to the Government Accountability Office. Australia has a national health care system that is partly administered by state, territorial, and local governments. Prescription drug pricing is set at the national level, starting with an assessment of the drug's value. That assessment is made by Australia's independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, which evaluates new drugs for cost-effectiveness and may recommend them for inclusion on the list of approved medications under the national health plan. That decision is made by Australia's national minister of health, who then negotiates with the manufacturer to determine a price. Among other considerations, the health minister evaluates the impact of adding the drug on the country's budget. Canada keeps prescription prices low in two ways. First, Canada's federal government sets a maximum allowable price for each medication. The government bases this price, in part, on the therapeutic value of the drug. That value may be higher if the drug is the first of its kind, or lower if there are similar drugs already on the market. Second, the country's 13 provincial and territorial health plans negotiate pricing jointly with manufacturers, combining the power of their respective markets. France has a national health care system that includes prescription drugs. The French government negotiates prices with manufacturers based on an assessment of the therapeutic value of the drug. The country also places a cap on total prescription spending. These arrangements significantly lower prescription costs for the government and for patients. But there are drawbacks. When a U.S. insurance company can't negotiate an acceptable price from a drug manufacturer, the insurer may choose not to cover the drug. However, another company will often cover it, so patients still have options. However, when a drug is omitted from a national health plan, it may be more difficult to find it or afford it anywhere in that country. For example, Signifor, a drug used to treat hormonal diseases, was not available in Ontario, Canada, according to a 2021 study by the Government Accountability Office. Some forms of diabetes drug Trulicity were not available in Australia. Cancer medicine Revlimid 5 milligram and 10 milligram capsules were not available in France. Or, drugs left off the national coverage list may still be available, but at a higher price. Drug shortages are another problem. In countries with national health plans, pharmaceutical companies have less incentive to ensure supply. Companies will favor markets where there is more potential for profit. '[Drug] shortages are a natural outcome of imposing prices divorced from free market processes,' Jeremy Nighohossian, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a libertarian think tank, told The Epoch Times. Stephen Ubl, president and CEO of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, said, 'Importing foreign prices from socialist countries would be a bad deal for American patients and workers,' in a May 12 response to Trump's plan.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Weight loss drugs could slash cancer risks by 41% compared to surgery, researchers claim
Blockbuster weight loss drugs may help people avoid obesity-related cancers, new research suggests. Obesity contributes to 13 types of cancer, and health experts are worried about the growing toll as obesity rates continue to rise globally. The new study, published in the Lancet journal eClinicalMedicine, suggests that weight loss drugs such as Saxena or Trulicity could help curb these risks. Researchers compared nearly 6,400 people with obesity and diabetes who either underwent bariatric surgery or took GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are weight loss drugs that work by mimicking a hormone in the body that makes people feel full for longer. In the years after their treatments, there were 5.76 obesity-related cancer cases per 1,000 person-years among patients who had bariatric surgery, compared with a rate of 5.64 among those who took GLP-1s. Related Experimental daily pill found to aid weight loss in what could be alternative to jabs like Ozempic Because surgery is more effective at lowering people's weight, the researchers concluded that weight-loss drugs could be even better at preventing obesity-related cancers – to the tune of 41 per cent, they said. 'Our study found a similar incidence of obesity-related cancer among patients treated with first-generation [GLP-1 drugs] and with bariatric surgery… despite the relative advantage of surgery in maximising weight loss,' Yael Wolff Sagy, a study author and a researcher at Clalit Health Services in Israel, said in a statement. 'But accounting for this advantage revealed the direct effect of GLP-1RAs beyond weight-loss to be 41 per cent more effective at preventing obesity-related cancer'. Notably, though, when the researchers took people's ability to manage their blood sugar levels into account, the medicines' edge over surgery dropped to 13 per cent. Related Global expert panel suggests overhauling how obesity is diagnosed, says BMI is not enough The benefit from the drugs could be because they help reduce inflammation, the researchers said, adding that newer medicines such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Zepbound could have an even greater effect. 'We do not yet fully understand how GLP-1s work, but this study adds to the growing evidence showing that weight loss alone cannot completely account for the metabolic, anti-cancer, and many other benefits that these medications provide,' Sagy said. The study is the latest to suggest drugs designed to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes could be used for much more than weight loss. Other research indicates they could help people with addiction, dementia, liver problems, and more. But the analysis has some limitations. Only 298 people were diagnosed with obesity-related cancers during the study period, for example, and it's not clear whether people sustained their initial weight loss over time. Larger studies with more patients could affect the statistical analysis that identified the 41 per cent risk reduction from medicines compared with surgery. Related France won't pay for weight loss drug Wegovy. What about other European countries? Independent experts also noted that the study was observational, meaning the authors reviewed existing data, rather than conducting a randomised control trial where some patients receive a drug and others get a placebo or dummy treatment in order to compare their outcomes. Randomised trials are considered the gold standard for medical research. 'Larger outcome trials are needed to understand links between such medicines and cancer risks, and several should report over the next five years,' Naveed Sattar, a professor of cardiometabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow in the UK, said in a statement. 'It is better to wait to see further large outcome trials versus placebo to get closer to the truth'.
Boston Globe
13-05-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
GLP-1 drugs fueled a jump in R.I. health care spending, nearly tripling in three years, report finds
Advertisement The latest iteration arrives as Americans have, at rapid pace, turned to GLP-1s to lose weight in recent years. Get Rhode Island News Alerts Sign up to get breaking news and interesting stories from Rhode Island in your inbox each weekday. Enter Email Sign Up Related : Data from the health analytics firm, Real Chemistry, showed between 2023 and 2024, 'It is no surprise that GLP-1s have the potential to appeal to many Rhode Island residents, as nearly one in three residents was obese in 2023,' states the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner's While the medications have provided benefits to counteract obesity and related health complications, the drugs come at a premium: Advertisement 'Due to high prices and increasing utilization, GLP-1 drugs have quickly become a leading source of retail pharmacy spending,' the report states. 'Because they are a long-term maintenance medication, and their use is expanding, they will be a major source of spending growth for years to come – even before accounting for price increases.' According to the report, retail pharmacy spending in the state would have grown by only 3.8 percent if not for GLP-1 medications, instead of 7.9 percent. The analysis, which relies on Related : Collectively, across the three years, the state spent $121.4 million on those drugs alone. 'A small number of GLP-1 medications made up a significant amount of spending, underscoring their extremely high price points,' the report states. 'The impact of these medications on retail pharmacy spending is even more pronounced considering that patients typically use them for the long-term,' the report states. 'The annual cost of Trulicity, for example, is over $10,000, according to these data.' The report concluded GLP-1s are 'not cost-effective at their current prices, and are largely unavailable to people with lower incomes.' 'It is important for Rhode Islanders to get the care and medications they need to live the healthiest lives possible, but at prices that are not burdensome and a deterrent to access,' the report states. Overall, the report found hospital and drug costs were the primary expenses that bumped up health care spending in the Ocean State, which rose across all major insurance markets. Spending per person hit $6,735 in the commercial market, a 6.9 percent increase from 2022; $14,000 in Medicare, a 8.7 percent increase; and $7,678 in Medicaid, up 6.7 percent. Advertisement Other findings from the report include a sharp increase in per-person hospital spending, as outpatient hospital costs in the commercial market jumped 11.3 percent to $1,801 per person from $1,618, an increase 'driven by increasing prices and utilization.' The report also found 'hospital settings continue to drive higher costs for the same services' provided in non-hospital settings. 'This year's report shows that we must keep pushing for smarter solutions,' Governor Dan McKee said in a statement. 'That's why my administration has taken action to strengthen primary care and reduce unnecessary costs — and why my FY 2026 budget continues to prioritize investments that improve access, affordability, and quality.' Christopher Gavin can be reached at
