Continued from previous page that maintaining a healthy diet and managing stress is extremely important to keeping our gut-skin axis happy. However, as pharmacy students, that may be slightly challenging. Luckily, Photo credit: https://draxe.com/wp-content/uploads/ we are not limited to stress manage2021/09/DrAxeFermentedFoodsHeader.jpg ment and eating healthy. We can also implement probiotics and fermented kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, and foods to keep our gut-skin axis happy! pickles.3 Now that your gut is happier, Some fermented foods include kefir, your skin will start to glow!
References 1. Wen, Li, and Andrew Duffy. “Factors Influencing the Gut Microbiota, Inflammation, and Type 2 Diabetes.” The Journal of Nutrition, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5483960/.1 2. Kaitlyn Bader, Editor. “Analyzing the Gut-Skin-Brain Axis.” Dermatology Times, Dermatology Times, 12 Feb. 2023, www.dermatologytimes.com/view/analyzing-the-gut-skin-brain-axis.2 3. De Pessemier, Britta, et al. “Gut-Skin Axis: Current Knowledge of the Interrelationship between Microbial Dysbiosis and Skin Conditions.” Microorganisms, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 11 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7916842/.
Losing Pounds and Gaining Grounds: Navigating the Rise of Weight Loss Medication by Carla Arca-Sedda, P2 As the rates of obesity rise throughout the U.S, companies like Elli Lilly and Novartis have developed what seemed to be a “miracle drug” for weight loss. Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzapetide) are two examples of the popular weight loss products, originally indicated to improve glycemic control in Type II Diabetes.1 The drugs work as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, increasing insulin secretion while also suppressing appetite. Ozempics' added benefit on decreasing cardiovascular disease has also added to its rise in popularity for certain patients. Both medications are once-weekly injections with similar side effects including nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal issues, and come with incredibly high costs which near $1000 for a 30 day supply.2 The popularity of Ozempic skyrocketed through the media when celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfery, Mark Wahlberg and others recently alleged to take the medication for weight loss. Ozempic was first approved by the FDA in 2017, but the rise in popularity in the media did not begin until 2022.3 As people became more aware of Ozempic due to the results they witnessed on celebri-
Photo credit: https://lap-associates.com/wp-content/uploads/ 2023/07/Untitled-design-22-1-1536x864.png
ties, more people became curious about the drug and how it could help them lose unwanted weight. In addition to Ozempic, other GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs such as Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Trulicity gained popularity.4 About 15% of the American population have Type II Diabetes, and 40% of Americans are obese, so many patients could experience benefits from taking this medication.5 Many prescribers began to give GLP-1 agonist drugs at low doses both on label for patients with Type II Diabetes and off label for weight loss management. According to recent studies on medication prescriptions, about one third of patients prescribed Ozempic have no history of Type II Diabetes.6 Prescriptions for Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists soared, leading to a national shortage and making it especially difficult for patients to access the lower dose injections. Pharmaceutical companies are struggling to meet demands. Pharmacies across the nation do not have enough supply of medication to sustain the amount of patients prescribed. This has become an alarming issue for patients who were prescribed the medication to manage their Type II Diabetes. This issue has displayed an ethical issue to determine which patients deserve priority to receive the medication. Some say those who have Type II Diabetes should be given priority because of the approved indication for the medication. Others say that weight related issues, such as cardiovascular disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, sleep apnea, hypertension and hyperlipidemia are all conditions that are important and should be
able to benefit from this medication. Many organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, Obesity Society, and The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology have looked at both perspectives and created guidelines and algorithms to help prescribers and pharmacists determine which patients would benefit the most and get priority during the ongoing shortage.7 Weight loss medications have seemingly become the future of medicine and pharmaceutics because of its potential to improve health outcomes for Americans. It is also important to consider that with new medication, risks and benefits should always be considered despite the immense rise in popularity. There is no such thing as a “miracle drug” and although it seems that the GLP-1 receptor agonist displays so many benefits, it is always important to conduct quality research and consider any poor outcomes. References 1. Winn J. Mounjaro vs Ozempic Drug facts and comparisons. NiceRX. August 11, 2022. Accessed November 5, 2023. https://www.nicerx.com/compare/mounjaro-vs-ozempic/ 2. Ann Mayer B. Why taking ozempic, wegovy or mounjaro may cost more than you think. Healthline. October 26, 2023. November 5, 2023. https://www.healthline.com 3. Drugs.com. Novo Nordisk receives 16-0 vote from FDA advisory committee in favor of approval of semaglutide. October 2017. Accessed November 5, 2023. https://www. drugs.com/nda/semaglutide_171018.html 4. Latif W, Lambrinos KJ, Rodriguez R. Compare and contrast the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. PearlStats. March 27, 2023. Accessed November 5, 2023. https:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572151/ 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By the numbers: diabetes in America.October 25, 2022. Accessed November 5. 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/health-equity/ diabetes-by-the-numbers.html 6. Jain S, Patton K, Miller A, et al. 2023 trends shaping the health economy report. Trilliant Health. 2023. Accessed November 5 2023. https://www.trillianthealth.com/reports/2023-health-economy-trends 7. McPhillips, D. Prescriptions for popular diabetes and weightloss prescriptions soured, but access is limited for some patients. CNN. September 27, 2023. Accessed November 5, 2023. https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/27/health/semaglutide-equitable-access/index.html
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