Telehealth company Ro has launched a GLP-1 tracker in light of ongoing shortages.
Amid ongoing shortages of GLP-1 drugs, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, healthcare company Ro has launched GLP-1 Supply Tracker — an interactive tool that provides updated information on drug shortages and automated, localized supply alerts.
The tool allows patients to access specific information about GLP-1 availability by drug, dose, and location. Patients can also submit their own updates about shortages or increased supply in their area, and report these shortages to the FDA.
"The GLP-1 shortage challenges are exacerbated by a lack of accurate, up-to-date, and accessible GLP-1 supply information. Patients deserve better," said Zachariah Reitano, co-founder and CEO of Ro, in a news release. "We originally began building this tracker for Ro patients but knew that our scaled supply data and tech expertise positioned us to help all patients (whether Ro patient or not) navigate the shortage and have a greater chance of finding the GLP-1 medications they need."
The new tool consists of two main features: the reporting component and automated alerts.
The reporting component allows patients to report their own experiences with shortages or supply, enabling them to describe the specific drug, dose, and pharmacy where they encountered a shortage or found supply. The tool also gives users the option to automatically report that same information to the FDA without any additional steps.
For the second component, users can sign up for automated email alerts about when a GLP-1 has been reported to be in supply in their area, or when the FDA changes the status of a drug shortage. Patients can receive specific alerts about the exact GLP-1 medication and dose reported to be in supply, as well as the pharmacy’s location and contact information.
The alerts also explain how users can request that their prescription be transferred to a pharmacy where their drug is in stock.
According to the GLP-1 Supply Tracker, Ro is currently receiving shortage reports of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Saxenda, and Victoza.
Health care professionals have been increasingly prescribing GLP-1 drugs, resulting in a major surge in demand for these medications and subsequent shortages.
The manufacturers of these drugs, including Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, have said they’re working to expand their manufacturing capabilities quickly in an effort to eventually meet demand.
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