Available in pharmacies by the end of the month: Ukraine prepares for the launch of “Ozempic”
7 May 16:33
On May 15, Ukraine will host the official launch of “Ozempic,” a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and aid in weight loss. The drug will be available in pharmacies across the country by the end of May.
This was reported bygastroenterologist and dietitian Professor Oleg Shvets, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Until now, Ozempic was imported illegally, which was dangerous due to the failure to maintain the cold chain during transport, as well as the risk of counterfeiting.
As Oleg Shvets notes:
“These drugs, now simply referred to as incretins, have brought about a true revolution in the treatment of obesity and its associated diseases.”
One of the main drawbacks of incretins is that their effect disappears after discontinuation.
“Incretins do not eliminate the cause of the pathological condition, but only affect the mechanisms that lead to weight gain,” notes Oleg Shvets
. However, the doctor points out that the temporary nature of the effect should not be a reason to refuse their prescription when they are truly needed.
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What are the side effects of the drug
Despite their effectiveness, drugs such as “Ozempic” have common and dangerous side effects. The most common are nausea and constipation, which usually disappear after following medical recommendations.
“Potential mild and short-lived side effects should not stand in the way of such an effective treatment,” adds Shvets.
The cost of these drugs remains high, but steady demand suggests that price is not the main barrier to starting treatment. In developed economies, financial support for patients in this regard is already standard practice.
Only recently have drugs such asSaxenda become officially available in Ukraine. Other incretin-based drugs are still being imported illegally, which puts patients’ health at risk. However, with the official launch of Ozempic, the situation is expected to change, the doctor notes.
Oleg Shvets added that another drug, “Vogovi,” which is already registered, is expected to appear in pharmacies next year.
In addition, there are plans to register a Ukrainian generic version of semaglutide, which could lower the cost of treatment.
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