McAllen pharmacy experiencing challenges amid increase in drug prices
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Pharmacies in the Rio Grande Valley say while supply and demand is improving when it comes to drugs that are used for weight loss and diabetes control, prices have been going up this year.
The issue is putting some strain on local pharmacies.
Drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are helping people manage their diabetes, and Wegovy is helping people with weight loss.
This time last year they were hard to find.
"The demand has pretty much plateaued," Pharmacist Jaime Solis from Lee’s Pharmacy said. "The supply has increased, so the availability of them is more than it was last month. Now it's a cost issue and a reimbursement issue."
This year, price is putting those products more and more out of reach, despite the potential benefits.
Solis says supplies are still somewhat limited.
For drugs like Wegovy, Lee's Pharmacy is limited to one order per day.
“That has created a dilemma for us in pharmacy in that we know we have some very brittle diabetics who could utilize it, and those who want it for weight loss,” Solis said. "Sometimes we're having to make a decision. We have some long-term diabetic patients that we have to prioritize, and then if we have some available supply left over, then we'll provide it to those patients who just want it for weight loss."
Solis says out of pocket prices already range between $900 to $1,300 dollars, depending on the product.
Sometimes pharmacies don't get fully reimbursed by insurance, and patients are hoping insurance companies will cover more.
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