A compounding conundrum

Last week, the FDA officially removed semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy from its drug shortage list, marking the end of an era for GLP-1 compounding pharmacies and many direct-to-consumer virtual care programs that prescribe compounded GLP-1s. Once a fix to meet booming demand during a shortage, the production and sale of compounded doses will no longer be viable within a few months. With ramped up production, drugmakers are ready to reclaim market share, and are even launching new doses and cheaper versions. Digital health players offering compounded GLP-1s will have to adapt and go beyond their previous access advantage, whether that means partnering with payers or employers to help customers navigate branded coverage, or differentiating with superior weight loss services and outcomes. Some virtual care providers are responding by challenging the shortage, while others are setting their sights on strategic pivots—swapping compounded forms for soon-to-be-generic alternatives or carving out compliant alternatives (e.g., "personalized" dosages). Regardless of the path chosen, one thing remains clear—innovation is the name of the game in this post-shortage era.

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