The need for popular drugs for diabetes, obesity, and heart disease has gone up in recent years. A study from the University of Southern California showed a 442% rise in prescriptions for semaglutide between January 2021 and December 2023. Semaglutide is in drugs like Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy. Patients are finding it hard to get insurance to cover these pricey prescriptions, which can cost over $10,000 a year. People on Medicaid and Medicare have struggled to get their Ozempic and Wegovy prescriptions filled. According to a recent study in JAMA Health Forum by USC, Medicaid and Medicare patients face difficulties in accessing these important drugs for obesity and diabetes. The study showed that more privately insured patients are able to get their prescriptions filled compared to those on Medicare. Federal spending on weight-loss drugs has increased significantly. This trend is expected to continue, costing billions of dollars if more people start taking Wegovy to prevent heart attacks or strokes. It is important to make these drugs more accessible for those who need them.
Vocabulary List:
- Prescriptions /prɪˈskrɪpʃənz/ (noun): Directions written by a medical professional for the preparation and administration of a remedy.
- Difficulties /ˈdɪfɪkəltiːz/ (noun): The state or condition of being hard to deal with or overcome.
- Significantly /sɪgˈnɪfɪkəntli/ (adverb): In a sufficiently great or important way as to be worthy of attention.
- Accessible /əkˈsɛsəbl/ (adjective): Able to be reached or entered; easy to obtain or use.
- Trend /trɛnd/ (noun): A general direction in which something is developing or changing.
- Costs /kɔːsts/ (noun): The amount that has to be paid or spent to buy or obtain something.
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