Share on PinterestA new generic of the GLP-1 drug Victoza, which has similarities to common medicines like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, is now accessible in america. Bernardbodo/Getty ImagesTeva Prescribed drugs is launching the first-ever generic GLP-1 drug in america.Victoza, initially authorized by the FDA in 2010 for diabetes, is a part of the identical class of medicine that features Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound.Specialists say they welcome the generic formulation however expressed issues about value and effectiveness.Teva Prescribed drugs introduced the launch of a generic type of Victoza (liraglutide), the first-ever generic GLP-1 drug to be made accessible in america. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (in any other case referred to as GLP-1s or GLP-1 RAs) are a category of incretin medicine that mimic the physique’s pure hormones to assist deal with diabetes and weight problems. Different blockbuster medicine on this class embody semaglutide (bought below the model names Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (bought below the model names Mounjaro and Zepbound.The latter is taken into account a “twin agonist” as a result of it prompts two receptors: GLP-1 and GIP.The medicine have confirmed to be exceptionally efficient, significantly for weight reduction, with some sufferers dropping as much as 25% of their physique weight. They’ve additionally been proven to have many different useful results, together with decreasing A1C and enhancing cardiovascular outcomes.Nonetheless, the recognition of the medicine has spiraled uncontrolled at instances, resulting in shortages and provide chain points within the US and overseas. The widespread follow of utilizing diabetes medicines like Ozempic and Mounjaro “off label” for beauty weight reduction has led to some diabetes sufferers being pressured to ration their provides or change medicine totally.“By launching a certified generic for Victoza, we’re offering sufferers with sort 2 diabetes another choice for this necessary remedy…We’re offering the primary generic GLP-1 product to the US market, demonstrating as soon as once more our capability to maintain a generics powerhouse,” Ernie Richardsen, a Senior Vice President of Teva Prescribed drugs, mentioned in an announcement.The arrival of a GLP-1 generic drug gives causes to be looking forward to medical doctors and sufferers alike, however there are additionally caveats.Dr. Caroline Apovian, MD, a Professor of Medication at Harvard Medical College and the co-director of the Heart for Weight Administration and Wellness at Brigham and Girls’s Hospital, informed Healthline that the approval was “one other step in the suitable route.”However, she rapidly adopted that with some rapid issues about value.“My large query for Teva is how a lot are you going to cost for it?” she mentioned.Dr. Solar Kim, MD, an Affiliate Professor of Endocrinology at Stanford Medication, informed Healthline that whereas she’s enthusiastic about a further remedy choice, she additionally has issues.“The costs that I’ve seen for Teva’s liraglutide are excessive, particularly provided that liraglutide is injected as soon as every day (vs. weekly) and usually inferior to greater doses of liraglutide and tripeptide weekly,” she informed Healthline.Healthline contacted Teva about the price of their generic however didn’t obtain a response. In line with The Guardian, the wholesale acquisition value (WAC) of the generic can be 13.6% decrease than Victoza. A two-pack of injection pens is estimated to value round $470, whereas a three-pack will value round $700. A spokesperson for Teva informed The Guardian that “WAC pricing doesn’t account for the worth reductions supplied to clients and isn’t reflective of our ultimate web value.”One other notable challenge identified by specialists is that Victoza isn’t as efficient as novel GLP-1s. The FDA initially authorized Victoza for diabetes in 2010, adopted by Saxenda (additionally liraglutide) for weight problems in 2014.“I believe nobody would dispute that liraglutide, whereas efficient for decreasing glucose and weight, is inferior to greater doses of semaglutide and tirzepatide,” mentioned Kim.Head-to-head medical trials have persistently demonstrated that the newest batch of GLP-1 medicine carry out higher. The STEP 8 randomized medical trial in contrast semaglutide and liraglutide and located that sufferers taking semaglutide misplaced considerably extra weight (15%) than these taking liraglutide (6%).Tirzepatide has confirmed much more efficient in a medical trial, with sufferers dropping 20% of their physique weight.The SUSTAIN 10 trial, one other head-to-head trial between semaglutide and liraglutide, discovered that whereas each lowered A1C, semaglutide had higher outcomes, leading to a lower of 1.7% in comparison with 1% for liraglutide.Whereas shortages of different GLP-1 medicine stay, Teva’s generic Victoza is a welcome addition to the market. Nonetheless, for some sufferers, the worth tag and decrease effectiveness in comparison with novel brokers might stay a barrier for a lot of.The primary-ever generic GLP-1 drug is being launched in america by Teva Prescribed drugs.GLP-1 medicine, which embody the blockbuster diabetes and weight problems medicines Wegovy and Zepbound, are touted for his or her effectiveness however are costly and infrequently in brief provide.Specialists informed Healthline that whereas they welcome the generic GLP-1, they nonetheless have issues about its value and general effectiveness in comparison with newer GLP-1 medicine.