The patent thing in particular. The drug companies are currently charging $1000 per MONTH which is an unimaginable amount of money. Therefore, a lot of people who would otherwise benefit (e.g. obese, prediabetes) simply won't have the option.
Unclear to me who has $12,000 extra they can spend on a non-immediate life-saving medication like these. There is technically market competition (wegovy vs zepbound), but surprisingly they all are charging $1K/month with a "discount card" which can be withdrawn at any time, and even that still makes is $6K/year.
Currently, many people are benefiting via legal compounding from safe US licensed pharmacies due to the shortages/FDA shortage list, but that route is very soon going to be closed. Then back to $1K/month Vs. $1K/month.
Unclear to me who has $12,000 extra they can spend on a non-immediate life-saving medication like these. There is technically market competition (wegovy vs zepbound), but surprisingly they all are charging $1K/month with a "discount card" which can be withdrawn at any time, and even that still makes is $6K/year.
Currently, many people are benefiting via legal compounding from safe US licensed pharmacies due to the shortages/FDA shortage list, but that route is very soon going to be closed. Then back to $1K/month Vs. $1K/month.