Tag: weight loss drugs
FDA approves GLP-1 for OSA
December 23, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Dec. 20 that it has approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) for the treatment of moderate to severe sleep apnea in adults with obesity to be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
“Today’s approval marks the first drug treatment option for certain patients with obstructive sleep apnea,” said Sally Seymour, M.D., director of the Division of Pulmonology, Allergy, and Critical...
Diabetes, weight loss drugs cause spike in spending, utilization
December 23, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Medicaid spending on 10 selected diabetes and two selected weight loss drugs totaled more than $9 billion in 2023, a 540% increase compared to 2019, according to a new Data Brief from the Office of Inspector General.
“This substantial increase could have a financial impact on the Medicaid program,” the brief states. “Information in this data brief may be beneficial to CMS and State Medicaid agencies when developing future program guidance related to these...
LifeMD, Withings partner on weight management
May 2, 2024HME News Staff
NEW YORK and BOSTON – A new strategic partnership designed to advance weight management care will see LifeMD provide its GLP-1 weight-loss patients with advanced in-home health monitoring devices from Withings Health Solutions, including the Body pro 2 scale and the BPM Connect Pro blood pressure monitor. Through the partnership, LifeMD, a provider of virtual primary care services, provides clinicians with near real-time and actionable patient data that can drive compliance, enhance clinical...
New weight loss drug reduces AHI in certain patients
April 17, 2024HME News Staff
INDIANAPOLIS – Eli Lilly and Company’s tirzepatide injection diabetes and weight loss drug may help reduce AHI in patients with sleep apnea, according to the results of the company’s phase 3 clinical trials. The Surmount-OSA Study 1 evaluated tirzepatide in adults with moderate-to-severe OSA and obesity who were not on PAP therapy for 52 weeks. Tirzepatide led to a mean AHI reduction from baseline of 27.4 events per hour compared to a mean AHI reduction from baseline of 4.8 events...
Indie pharmacies report shortages
February 15, 2024HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Nearly 96% of independent pharmacy owners and managers report experiencing shortages or backorders of GLP-1 drugs, according to the results of a new survey from the National Community Pharmacists Association. Most report ordering the drugs upon paid claims (63%) rather than keeping a stock on hand (37%) due to high prices and low reimbursement from pharmacy benefit managers, the survey found. “GLP-1s have been tremendously popular over the last couple of years...
ResMed starts tracking patients on both weight loss drugs, CPAP therapy
January 5, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – ResMed CEO Mick Farrell believes that, based on the company’s early research, weight loss drugs will be a “net positive” for patient flow for sleep apnea.
“I mean, I think there's $1 trillion worth of market cap now from these (pharmaceutical) companies and they will turn that into marketing to bring people in for the miracle drug,” he said during a recent conference call to discuss ResMed’s latest financial results. “And...
Industry weighs potential impact of weight loss drugs
November 17, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – Respondents to a recent HME Newspoll aren’t quite sure what to make of the weight loss drug craze and whether or not it will impact demand for certain HME.
Nearly 40% of respondents say the drugs, which are known as GLP-1s and which include brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy, could reduce demand for CPAP devices, as obesity is among the most important risk factors for sleep apnea.
“Over time, I think this will have a huge impact on PAP devices...