1 00:00:00,980 --> 00:00:05,380 (THEME MUSIC PLAYS) 2 00:00:12,140 --> 00:00:13,460 Ozempic... Ozempic... 3 00:00:13,460 --> 00:00:14,780 Ozempic... A game-changer... 4 00:00:14,780 --> 00:00:15,060 VOICEOVER: Injectable weight-loss drugs are hot. Ozempic... A game-changer... 5 00:00:15,060 --> 00:00:17,700 VOICEOVER: Injectable weight-loss drugs are hot. 6 00:00:17,700 --> 00:00:17,980 VOICEOVER: Injectable weight-loss drugs are hot. ELISE WORTHINGTON: The hype around drugs like Ozempic 7 00:00:17,980 --> 00:00:20,300 ELISE WORTHINGTON: The hype around drugs like Ozempic 8 00:00:20,300 --> 00:00:22,260 is sweeping the globe. 9 00:00:22,260 --> 00:00:24,020 The market for weight-loss drugs 10 00:00:24,020 --> 00:00:26,820 could reach $100 billion in the next eight years. 11 00:00:26,820 --> 00:00:27,100 could reach $100 billion They could become the highest-grossing drugs 12 00:00:27,100 --> 00:00:28,780 They could become the highest-grossing drugs 13 00:00:28,780 --> 00:00:29,020 They could become of all time. 14 00:00:29,020 --> 00:00:30,500 of all time. 15 00:00:30,500 --> 00:00:30,740 JOHN DIXON: These new drugs of all time. 16 00:00:30,740 --> 00:00:33,460 JOHN DIXON: These new drugs were clearly going to be popular. 17 00:00:33,460 --> 00:00:36,140 It probably got a little bit too exciting. 18 00:00:36,140 --> 00:00:36,380 It probably got SONG: # Ozempic 19 00:00:36,380 --> 00:00:37,580 SONG: # Ozempic 20 00:00:37,580 --> 00:00:38,380 # Wegovy 21 00:00:38,380 --> 00:00:39,380 # Mounjaro 22 00:00:39,380 --> 00:00:41,540 # No more sorrow... # 23 00:00:41,540 --> 00:00:42,740 (GASPS) 24 00:00:42,740 --> 00:00:44,220 # I don't care about my face 25 00:00:44,220 --> 00:00:46,220 # Just a little, tiny waist 26 00:00:46,220 --> 00:00:48,180 # Put that shot in me 27 00:00:48,180 --> 00:00:49,300 # Skinny 28 00:00:49,300 --> 00:00:50,500 # Win. # 29 00:00:50,500 --> 00:00:52,620 LAUREN ASH: A lot of people, this is their last option. 30 00:00:52,620 --> 00:00:56,260 They have tried healthy eating, they have tried exercising, 31 00:00:56,260 --> 00:00:58,300 and it just doesn't work because it's not that simple. 32 00:00:58,300 --> 00:00:58,540 and it just doesn't work # Skinny... # 33 00:00:58,540 --> 00:00:59,500 # Skinny... # 34 00:00:59,500 --> 00:01:04,580 There's no way drug companies can satisfy exploding demand. 35 00:01:04,580 --> 00:01:08,060 We've got zero stocks of Ozempic in the 1.5 mil. 36 00:01:08,060 --> 00:01:08,300 We've got zero stocks of Ozempic None available at all. 37 00:01:08,300 --> 00:01:09,580 None available at all. 38 00:01:09,580 --> 00:01:11,540 # Put that shot in me. # 39 00:01:13,300 --> 00:01:15,180 The supply crisis has created 40 00:01:15,180 --> 00:01:19,700 an opportunity for unscrupulous operators to move in. 41 00:01:19,700 --> 00:01:23,060 When there's a lucrative market in anywhere, 42 00:01:23,060 --> 00:01:24,300 you're going to get cowboys. 43 00:01:24,300 --> 00:01:29,980 And they're flooding doctors around the world with ads for replica drugs. 44 00:01:29,980 --> 00:01:34,020 These are the faxes that we get in advertising their Ozempic. 45 00:01:34,020 --> 00:01:37,300 Oh, yeah, that's dodgy as. That's just totally unacceptable. 46 00:01:37,300 --> 00:01:39,860 So, they're trying to pass off as if they're the real deal. 47 00:01:39,860 --> 00:01:42,380 They just know patients are desperate. 48 00:01:42,380 --> 00:01:44,180 And patients are at risk. 49 00:01:44,180 --> 00:01:44,420 We can't tell you if they work. And patients are at risk. 50 00:01:44,420 --> 00:01:47,300 We can't tell you if they work. We can't tell you if they're safe. 51 00:01:48,260 --> 00:01:51,140 And here's our vial. 52 00:01:51,140 --> 00:01:53,980 Looks like one of the ice packs has exploded. 53 00:01:53,980 --> 00:01:56,340 ADAM REINHARD: Please, for the love of God, do not inject anything. 54 00:01:56,340 --> 00:01:56,580 ADAM REINHARD: Please, for the love We don't know what that is. 55 00:01:56,580 --> 00:01:58,460 We don't know what that is. 56 00:01:59,780 --> 00:02:01,460 A team of forensic experts 57 00:02:01,460 --> 00:02:05,300 has descended on the house in Western Sydney looking for evidence. 58 00:02:06,260 --> 00:02:12,580 Four Corners uncovers the home-grown scam sending suspect drugs overseas. 59 00:02:25,780 --> 00:02:28,620 (BUSY CHATTER) 60 00:02:31,420 --> 00:02:32,620 Yep. 61 00:02:32,620 --> 00:02:36,020 She was on our waiting list and she sent through the script. 62 00:02:37,380 --> 00:02:39,580 Hello. This is Alex. 63 00:02:39,580 --> 00:02:44,020 This is the front line of an unprecedented drug shortage. 64 00:02:44,020 --> 00:02:47,940 Patients are looking everywhere to find Ozempic. 65 00:02:49,220 --> 00:02:51,820 They're just ringing pharmacy after pharmacy after pharmacy, 66 00:02:51,820 --> 00:02:52,060 They're just ringing pharmacy so, they're just hoping. 67 00:02:52,060 --> 00:02:53,300 so, they're just hoping. 68 00:02:53,300 --> 00:02:55,260 And if you do have the stock, it's like... (GASPS) 69 00:02:55,260 --> 00:02:58,980 No-one's ordered the Ozempic yet from Sigma? 70 00:02:58,980 --> 00:03:00,540 Not today. No. 71 00:03:02,780 --> 00:03:04,700 Hey. It's Alex from Harpers Pharmacy. 72 00:03:04,700 --> 00:03:08,180 I want to place our regular Ozempic on back order, please. 73 00:03:08,180 --> 00:03:11,740 Pharmacists are chasing stock of the blockbuster medication, 74 00:03:11,740 --> 00:03:11,980 Pharmacists are chasing stock trying to meet customer demand. 75 00:03:11,980 --> 00:03:14,580 trying to meet customer demand. 76 00:03:14,580 --> 00:03:17,740 Is there any word on when that will come back? 77 00:03:19,380 --> 00:03:22,140 Thank you very much. OK. Bye. 78 00:03:26,900 --> 00:03:28,260 Not back. 79 00:03:29,220 --> 00:03:30,260 OK. 80 00:03:31,860 --> 00:03:33,620 If you could order as much as you wanted, 81 00:03:33,620 --> 00:03:36,940 how much do you reckon you would order that you know you could sell? 82 00:03:36,940 --> 00:03:39,460 I would completely fill all of our fridges. 83 00:03:39,460 --> 00:03:39,700 (LAUGHS) I would completely fill all of our fridges. 84 00:03:39,700 --> 00:03:41,980 (LAUGHS) 85 00:03:41,980 --> 00:03:44,860 Because that's the limit, obviously. It's a fridge line too. But... 86 00:03:44,860 --> 00:03:45,100 Because that's the limit, obviously. Oh, look, it... 87 00:03:45,100 --> 00:03:46,580 Oh, look, it... 88 00:03:46,580 --> 00:03:46,780 Oh, look, it... Thousands. Yeah. 89 00:03:46,780 --> 00:03:48,460 Thousands. Yeah. 90 00:03:48,460 --> 00:03:50,420 And how quickly could you sell that? 91 00:03:51,380 --> 00:03:54,900 A few days if we had the stock. Yeah. 92 00:03:54,900 --> 00:03:57,140 It's not just Ozempic. 93 00:03:57,140 --> 00:04:01,580 Customers are after another drug promising even more weight loss. 94 00:04:01,580 --> 00:04:04,700 Mounjaro was released in Australia last year, 95 00:04:04,700 --> 00:04:04,940 Mounjaro was released in Australia costing up to $700 a month. 96 00:04:04,940 --> 00:04:08,100 costing up to $700 a month. 97 00:04:08,100 --> 00:04:10,980 It started selling out within weeks. 98 00:04:10,980 --> 00:04:13,980 API is showing nothing. Stock in two days. 99 00:04:13,980 --> 00:04:16,820 And, yeah, the others have nothing coming. 100 00:04:16,820 --> 00:04:19,300 Here's what we have. Yep, yep. 101 00:04:21,060 --> 00:04:22,220 In Australia 102 00:04:22,220 --> 00:04:26,740 both Ozempic and Mounjaro are only approved to treat diabetes, 103 00:04:26,740 --> 00:04:29,420 but doctors can use their own discretion 104 00:04:29,420 --> 00:04:32,940 to prescribe the drugs to patients wanting to lose weight. 105 00:04:34,740 --> 00:04:37,300 Alright, so, I think we've got about 20 units left 106 00:04:37,300 --> 00:04:40,140 and we've just got to get through everyone on the waiting list 107 00:04:40,140 --> 00:04:40,380 and we've just got to get through until we run out, 108 00:04:40,380 --> 00:04:41,940 until we run out, 109 00:04:41,940 --> 00:04:43,780 which won't be many. 110 00:04:43,780 --> 00:04:44,940 Right. 111 00:04:46,700 --> 00:04:48,700 I've been in pharmacy for more than 30 years. 112 00:04:48,700 --> 00:04:50,540 I've never seen anything like this. 113 00:04:50,540 --> 00:04:54,420 It's well over a year now that this has been a problem. 114 00:04:54,420 --> 00:04:56,340 And it's not like there's been no stock. 115 00:04:56,340 --> 00:04:58,700 It's just that the usage and the demand 116 00:04:58,700 --> 00:05:00,340 has been growing over time. 117 00:05:01,540 --> 00:05:03,460 And yes, I... 118 00:05:03,460 --> 00:05:03,700 I can't see that abating And yes, I... 119 00:05:03,700 --> 00:05:06,980 I can't see that abating any time soon. 120 00:05:06,980 --> 00:05:07,260 VOICEOVER: These days it's the talk of TikTok. I can't see that abating any time soon. 121 00:05:07,260 --> 00:05:09,580 VOICEOVER: These days it's the talk of TikTok. 122 00:05:09,580 --> 00:05:11,900 Have you heard about it? Are you on it? Do you have questions? 123 00:05:11,900 --> 00:05:12,140 Have you heard about it? Are you Today is injection day. 124 00:05:12,140 --> 00:05:14,140 Today is injection day. 125 00:05:14,140 --> 00:05:17,100 # You better work, bitch! # 126 00:05:17,100 --> 00:05:20,100 Where the medication is, we already put the needle on. 127 00:05:20,100 --> 00:05:23,860 For me, it's sort of just not making me want to eat... 128 00:05:23,860 --> 00:05:26,100 Success stories on social media 129 00:05:26,100 --> 00:05:28,980 have fuelled demand all around the world. 130 00:05:28,980 --> 00:05:31,980 Lord, if you let me get skinny one more time, 131 00:05:31,980 --> 00:05:32,220 Lord, if you let me get skinny I promise I won't mess it up. 132 00:05:32,220 --> 00:05:33,900 I promise I won't mess it up. 133 00:05:33,900 --> 00:05:34,700 Amen. 134 00:05:34,700 --> 00:05:34,900 SONG: # O-O-O Amen. 135 00:05:34,900 --> 00:05:36,500 SONG: # O-O-O 136 00:05:36,500 --> 00:05:37,620 # Ozempic! # 137 00:05:37,620 --> 00:05:37,860 # Ozempic! # Ozempic. Ozempic. 138 00:05:37,860 --> 00:05:38,980 Ozempic. Ozempic. 139 00:05:38,980 --> 00:05:39,260 Ozempic. Now there's Ozempic. Ozempic. Ozempic. 140 00:05:39,260 --> 00:05:41,580 Ozempic. Now there's Ozempic. 141 00:05:41,580 --> 00:05:44,780 What is Ozempic? OK, so, Ozempic is a diabetes drug. 142 00:05:44,780 --> 00:05:49,380 So, it's called semaglutide and it's known as a GLP-1 agonist. 143 00:05:49,380 --> 00:05:49,660 So, it's called semaglutide and it's known as a GLP-1 agonist. So, what that is it's one of our gut hormones 144 00:05:49,660 --> 00:05:51,980 So, what that is it's one of our gut hormones 145 00:05:51,980 --> 00:05:54,500 that naturally gets released when we eat. 146 00:05:54,500 --> 00:05:54,740 that naturally gets released And when we inject it 147 00:05:54,740 --> 00:05:57,380 And when we inject it 148 00:05:57,380 --> 00:05:57,620 at much higher doses And when we inject it 149 00:05:57,620 --> 00:06:00,380 at much higher doses than our body would usually have 150 00:06:00,380 --> 00:06:03,900 it slows down gastric emptying, which is why you feel full. 151 00:06:03,900 --> 00:06:06,700 But one of the main ways it works is by talking to our brain 152 00:06:06,700 --> 00:06:12,460 and regulating that, the appetite control and the drive for food. 153 00:06:12,460 --> 00:06:16,020 The GLP-1s are acting in a physiological way 154 00:06:16,020 --> 00:06:16,260 in the gut, The GLP-1s are acting in a physiological way 155 00:06:16,260 --> 00:06:17,340 in the gut, 156 00:06:17,340 --> 00:06:20,500 and they're signalling the brain to say, 157 00:06:20,500 --> 00:06:24,780 "Eat less. You're satisfied with less. You don't need as much." 158 00:06:24,780 --> 00:06:26,620 People will tell me that, 159 00:06:26,620 --> 00:06:30,060 "Now I understand how people can just push the plate away." 160 00:06:31,300 --> 00:06:33,180 The weight-loss potential of Ozempic 161 00:06:33,180 --> 00:06:35,300 was reported in a landmark study 162 00:06:35,300 --> 00:06:40,060 led by John Wilding and funded by drug company Novo Nordisk. 163 00:06:41,580 --> 00:06:45,380 What we found was that the people treated with semaglutide 164 00:06:45,380 --> 00:06:48,780 lost about 15% of their body weight, about 15 kilos, 165 00:06:48,780 --> 00:06:49,060 lost about 15% of their body weight, about 15 kilos, whereas those people who'd just been given the dummy injections 166 00:06:49,060 --> 00:06:52,700 whereas those people who'd just been given the dummy injections 167 00:06:52,700 --> 00:06:54,340 and still the dietary advice 168 00:06:54,340 --> 00:06:57,380 only lost about 2.5 kilos in weight. 169 00:06:57,380 --> 00:06:59,860 VOICEOVER: What if all I do isn't enough? 170 00:06:59,860 --> 00:07:02,780 Mounjaro created even more excitement. 171 00:07:03,820 --> 00:07:08,180 Plus people taking Mounjaro lost up to 25 pounds. 172 00:07:08,180 --> 00:07:12,420 So, it does seem to be from the trials that we've seen so far 173 00:07:12,420 --> 00:07:16,860 to be more effective than semaglutide for weight loss. 174 00:07:16,860 --> 00:07:17,140 to be more effective than semaglutide for weight loss. We're starting to get into the range of weight loss 175 00:07:17,140 --> 00:07:20,940 We're starting to get into the range of weight loss 176 00:07:20,940 --> 00:07:25,540 that you see after some forms of bariatric surgery, 177 00:07:25,540 --> 00:07:27,780 and that's something that we've never really seen before 178 00:07:27,780 --> 00:07:29,180 with weight-loss medications. 179 00:07:29,180 --> 00:07:31,980 So, that I think was very exciting. 180 00:07:31,980 --> 00:07:32,180 I feel like a regular person So, that I think was very exciting. 181 00:07:32,180 --> 00:07:33,740 I feel like a regular person 182 00:07:33,740 --> 00:07:33,980 instead of a fat person I feel like a regular person 183 00:07:33,980 --> 00:07:37,700 instead of a fat person that gets ignored or shamed. 184 00:07:37,700 --> 00:07:37,980 instead of a fat person that gets ignored or shamed. Any of that. I actually feel like I'm... 185 00:07:37,980 --> 00:07:39,940 Any of that. I actually feel like I'm... 186 00:07:39,940 --> 00:07:41,900 Like, you know, when you lose the weight, 187 00:07:41,900 --> 00:07:43,340 I experienced being... 188 00:07:43,340 --> 00:07:46,300 ..I felt seen, which was a really nice change. 189 00:07:46,300 --> 00:07:46,540 ..I felt seen, I wasn't ignored 190 00:07:46,540 --> 00:07:47,340 I wasn't ignored 191 00:07:47,340 --> 00:07:49,620 because I was just that fat person walking down the street. 192 00:07:52,100 --> 00:07:56,380 I was 115.5 kilos. 193 00:07:56,380 --> 00:07:58,540 I'd tried the gym. 194 00:07:58,540 --> 00:08:01,220 I had tried eating healthy. 195 00:08:01,220 --> 00:08:03,700 I had tried absolutely everything. 196 00:08:03,700 --> 00:08:05,300 I went to my doctor. 197 00:08:05,300 --> 00:08:08,260 He said that, "You should try Ozempic." 198 00:08:08,260 --> 00:08:09,860 And, so, I did. 199 00:08:09,860 --> 00:08:14,620 And I was on Ozempic for just over 12 months and I lost 30 kilos. 200 00:08:17,540 --> 00:08:19,220 Then the shortage hit, 201 00:08:19,220 --> 00:08:21,420 and then it was game over. 202 00:08:21,420 --> 00:08:22,620 Yeah. 203 00:08:22,620 --> 00:08:24,300 Then I gained it all back. 204 00:08:24,300 --> 00:08:25,940 What happened? 205 00:08:25,940 --> 00:08:30,260 So... Well, because there was no Ozempic, I didn't... 206 00:08:30,260 --> 00:08:30,500 So... Well, because ..I couldn't keep losing weight. 207 00:08:30,500 --> 00:08:32,500 ..I couldn't keep losing weight. 208 00:08:32,500 --> 00:08:32,740 And then I was on steroids ..I couldn't keep losing weight. 209 00:08:32,740 --> 00:08:35,180 And then I was on steroids for my issues. 210 00:08:35,180 --> 00:08:35,420 And then I was on steroids And then that is, like, weight gain. 211 00:08:35,420 --> 00:08:37,380 And then that is, like, weight gain. 212 00:08:37,380 --> 00:08:39,460 So... Yeah. 213 00:08:39,460 --> 00:08:41,220 Very sad. Yeah. 214 00:08:41,220 --> 00:08:41,460 Studies show most people Very sad. Yeah. 215 00:08:41,460 --> 00:08:45,420 Studies show most people regain the weight they've lost 216 00:08:45,420 --> 00:08:45,660 Studies show most people when they stop taking the drugs. 217 00:08:45,660 --> 00:08:48,180 when they stop taking the drugs. 218 00:08:48,180 --> 00:08:52,620 I went from, like, being really big to a size 14, 219 00:08:52,620 --> 00:08:56,060 and I was like, "Yes! This is how people are meant to feel." 220 00:08:56,060 --> 00:08:56,300 and I was like, "Yes! This is how It was amazing. 221 00:08:56,300 --> 00:08:57,260 It was amazing. 222 00:08:57,260 --> 00:08:58,940 And then I went back up again 223 00:08:58,940 --> 00:09:01,780 and I was like, "Oh, that was nice for a little bit." 224 00:09:01,780 --> 00:09:03,220 (CHUCKLES) Yeah. Yep. 225 00:09:04,860 --> 00:09:09,740 Lauren Ash got her hopes up again when Mounjaro arrived in Australia. 226 00:09:11,060 --> 00:09:14,180 And, so, as soon as I heard about that, I wanted to try it 227 00:09:14,180 --> 00:09:15,980 because I heard it's better than Ozempic 228 00:09:15,980 --> 00:09:19,140 and I was assured that there wasn't going to be a shortage, 229 00:09:19,140 --> 00:09:22,220 things were going to be amazing and it was going to be long term. 230 00:09:22,220 --> 00:09:22,460 things were going to be amazing So, it was really, really exciting. 231 00:09:22,460 --> 00:09:24,780 So, it was really, really exciting. 232 00:09:26,660 --> 00:09:29,300 So, this is my Mounjaro, my weekly dose. 233 00:09:29,300 --> 00:09:29,540 So, this is my Mounjaro, So, it comes with a very big list. 234 00:09:29,540 --> 00:09:33,620 So, it comes with a very big list. 235 00:09:35,500 --> 00:09:37,340 Have you ever opened it up to read? 236 00:09:37,340 --> 00:09:37,580 The first time I did Have you ever opened it up to read? 237 00:09:37,580 --> 00:09:39,260 The first time I did because I think you should. 238 00:09:39,260 --> 00:09:40,740 If you're going to take a medication, 239 00:09:40,740 --> 00:09:40,980 If you're going you should read all that stuff 240 00:09:40,980 --> 00:09:44,020 you should read all that stuff 241 00:09:44,020 --> 00:09:45,860 and things you should not do. 242 00:09:45,860 --> 00:09:47,860 Like, it's huge. 243 00:09:54,540 --> 00:09:58,460 OK. So, this has got, like, the list of side effects and everything? 244 00:09:58,460 --> 00:09:59,940 Mm-hm. "Check with your doctor if..." 245 00:09:59,940 --> 00:10:02,060 If you have children, they shouldn't take it. 246 00:10:02,060 --> 00:10:04,900 Pregnancy and breastfeeding, you shouldn't take it. 247 00:10:04,900 --> 00:10:08,260 These medications can have serious side effects. 248 00:10:08,260 --> 00:10:08,540 These medications can have serious side effects. Dehydration, pancreatitis, allergic reactions, gall bladder... 249 00:10:08,540 --> 00:10:12,580 Dehydration, pancreatitis, allergic reactions, gall bladder... 250 00:10:12,580 --> 00:10:12,820 Dehydration, pancreatitis, Yeah. Mm-hm. 251 00:10:12,820 --> 00:10:13,940 Yeah. Mm-hm. 252 00:10:13,940 --> 00:10:15,220 So, your doctor went through... 253 00:10:15,220 --> 00:10:15,460 Absolutely. So, your doctor went through... 254 00:10:15,460 --> 00:10:16,740 Absolutely. ..all of this. 255 00:10:16,740 --> 00:10:18,500 Yes. Yeah. 256 00:10:18,500 --> 00:10:20,820 It's quite a long list. Yep. 257 00:10:33,460 --> 00:10:34,940 Some people do vomit. 258 00:10:34,940 --> 00:10:37,020 Some people feel a bit funny in their tummies. 259 00:10:37,020 --> 00:10:37,260 Some people feel Some people might have diarrhoea. 260 00:10:37,260 --> 00:10:38,500 Some people might have diarrhoea. 261 00:10:38,500 --> 00:10:38,740 Some people might not have Some people might have diarrhoea. 262 00:10:38,740 --> 00:10:42,380 Some people might not have any bad side effects. 263 00:10:43,460 --> 00:10:46,580 My side effect was I had a two-day migraine 264 00:10:46,580 --> 00:10:48,100 the first time I took Ozempic, 265 00:10:48,100 --> 00:10:51,180 and I don't suffer from migraines, and that was awful. 266 00:10:51,180 --> 00:10:51,420 and I don't suffer from migraines, But after that I was fine. 267 00:10:51,420 --> 00:10:53,020 But after that I was fine. 268 00:10:53,980 --> 00:10:55,700 It just depended on the person. 269 00:10:59,740 --> 00:11:01,580 There's no reliable data 270 00:11:01,580 --> 00:11:03,780 on how many Australians like Lauren 271 00:11:03,780 --> 00:11:06,300 are taking these drugs for weight loss. 272 00:11:06,300 --> 00:11:10,620 She started a Facebook support group to find others like her. 273 00:11:10,620 --> 00:11:10,860 She started a Facebook support group It quickly grew to 50,000 members, 274 00:11:10,860 --> 00:11:14,220 It quickly grew to 50,000 members, 275 00:11:14,220 --> 00:11:16,020 and it's not the only one. 276 00:11:16,020 --> 00:11:18,700 I see many people 277 00:11:18,700 --> 00:11:24,740 that don't tell a soul that they're on Ozempic or Mounjaro 278 00:11:24,740 --> 00:11:27,180 because of shame, because of judgement. 279 00:11:27,180 --> 00:11:29,820 People just don't get it. They're like, "Well...why...why... 280 00:11:29,820 --> 00:11:32,340 "Why are you on that? You don't need to be on that." 281 00:11:32,340 --> 00:11:35,700 Or "Why don't you just put down that burger and go for a walk?" 282 00:11:35,700 --> 00:11:38,460 It's exhausting. People just don't want to have to talk about it. 283 00:11:38,460 --> 00:11:40,100 They just want to be able to get on with it. 284 00:11:40,100 --> 00:11:44,700 So, in our group, they can talk about it because we get it. 285 00:11:46,860 --> 00:11:49,780 We first met Lauren in November last year 286 00:11:49,780 --> 00:11:52,820 just before the latest shortage took hold. 287 00:11:52,820 --> 00:11:57,180 She was tired of the shame and stigma many in her group experienced, 288 00:11:57,180 --> 00:12:00,820 so, she decided to share her journey in video diaries. 289 00:12:00,820 --> 00:12:01,060 so, she decided to share her journey Week 7 on Mounjaro. 290 00:12:01,060 --> 00:12:03,340 Week 7 on Mounjaro. 291 00:12:03,340 --> 00:12:05,740 I just thought I'd check in. 292 00:12:05,740 --> 00:12:05,980 So, I have currently lost six kilos, I just thought I'd check in. 293 00:12:05,980 --> 00:12:10,860 So, I have currently lost six kilos, which is amazing. 294 00:12:10,860 --> 00:12:11,100 So, I have currently lost six kilos, So, I'm feeling really positive 295 00:12:11,100 --> 00:12:13,980 So, I'm feeling really positive 296 00:12:13,980 --> 00:12:15,780 and it's really, really good 297 00:12:15,780 --> 00:12:18,860 to be able to now have more energy to play with my kids. 298 00:12:19,940 --> 00:12:22,140 Week 8 on Mounjaro. 299 00:12:22,140 --> 00:12:24,420 I put my script in with the chemist 300 00:12:24,420 --> 00:12:24,660 and they said I put my script in with the chemist 301 00:12:24,660 --> 00:12:29,540 and they said there's a short-term shortage. 302 00:12:29,540 --> 00:12:34,100 So, I'm hoping that means that I won't miss out on it for too long. 303 00:12:34,100 --> 00:12:35,780 Trying not to stress 304 00:12:35,780 --> 00:12:37,980 because this happened with Ozempic 305 00:12:37,980 --> 00:12:38,220 and I ended up putting all because this happened with Ozempic 306 00:12:38,220 --> 00:12:41,340 and I ended up putting all the weight back on that I'd lost, 307 00:12:41,340 --> 00:12:41,580 and I ended up putting all so, that wasn't great. 308 00:12:41,580 --> 00:12:44,060 so, that wasn't great. 309 00:12:44,060 --> 00:12:47,380 People in the group are starting to panic as well. 310 00:12:47,380 --> 00:12:48,620 Just taking it a day at a time 311 00:12:48,620 --> 00:12:52,300 and hope to God the shortage ends soon. 312 00:12:52,300 --> 00:12:52,540 and hope to God Week 11 on Mounjaro. 313 00:12:52,540 --> 00:12:55,100 Week 11 on Mounjaro. 314 00:12:55,100 --> 00:12:58,900 I'm just trying to get through best I can, really, 315 00:12:58,900 --> 00:13:00,180 and really not thinking about 316 00:13:00,180 --> 00:13:05,100 what I'm going to do once I've gone through all my vials. 317 00:13:08,740 --> 00:13:11,460 Lauren grew increasingly worried 318 00:13:11,460 --> 00:13:14,940 as Mounjaro became almost impossible to find. 319 00:13:14,940 --> 00:13:20,060 Manufacturer Eli Lilly blamed larger than expected demand. 320 00:13:22,460 --> 00:13:25,140 Update on my Mounjaro journey. 321 00:13:25,140 --> 00:13:31,140 So, things have just been a bit... a bit crappy, honestly. 322 00:13:31,140 --> 00:13:31,380 So, things have just been a bit... There's been none available. 323 00:13:31,380 --> 00:13:33,420 There's been none available. 324 00:13:33,420 --> 00:13:33,660 I have had to completely stretch out There's been none available. 325 00:13:33,660 --> 00:13:39,060 I have had to completely stretch out my dosage, keeping it really low. 326 00:13:39,060 --> 00:13:42,180 I've not lost any weight, I've gained probably a kilo, 327 00:13:42,180 --> 00:13:42,420 I've not lost any weight, which is really frustrating 328 00:13:42,420 --> 00:13:43,860 which is really frustrating 329 00:13:43,860 --> 00:13:47,700 because I was all so excited about, you know, losing weight, 330 00:13:47,700 --> 00:13:51,020 being a better version of myself, all of that stuff. 331 00:13:51,020 --> 00:13:51,260 being a better version of myself, So... 332 00:13:51,260 --> 00:13:52,780 So... 333 00:13:52,780 --> 00:13:55,260 (EXHALES HEAVILY) ..it's been really hard. 334 00:13:55,260 --> 00:14:00,020 People are desperate and they will do what they can 335 00:14:00,020 --> 00:14:02,940 because most of them have been on Ozempic or Mounjaro 336 00:14:02,940 --> 00:14:03,180 because most of them or whatever they've been on before 337 00:14:03,180 --> 00:14:04,780 or whatever they've been on before 338 00:14:04,780 --> 00:14:05,980 and know that it works 339 00:14:05,980 --> 00:14:06,220 and they just want to continue on and know that it works 340 00:14:06,220 --> 00:14:08,820 and they just want to continue on being able to do that. 341 00:14:11,300 --> 00:14:14,780 Pharmacists are allowed to make their own versions of drugs 342 00:14:14,780 --> 00:14:16,300 in times of shortage. 343 00:14:16,300 --> 00:14:18,460 It's called compounding, 344 00:14:18,460 --> 00:14:22,660 and more and more people are relying on it for weight-loss medications. 345 00:14:22,660 --> 00:14:26,940 There's around half a dozen established compounding pharmacies 346 00:14:26,940 --> 00:14:31,620 making their own versions of Ozempic and Mounjaro in Australia. 347 00:14:33,420 --> 00:14:36,340 The problem that we became aware of 348 00:14:36,340 --> 00:14:36,580 was, essentially, The problem that we became aware of 349 00:14:36,580 --> 00:14:40,060 was, essentially, the scale of the compounding. 350 00:14:40,060 --> 00:14:42,820 So, compounding of semaglutide products 351 00:14:42,820 --> 00:14:43,060 So, compounding of semaglutide products at a very large scale, 352 00:14:43,060 --> 00:14:45,100 at a very large scale, 353 00:14:45,100 --> 00:14:48,500 so, they start now to look like a pharmaceutical company, 354 00:14:48,500 --> 00:14:51,660 but they're doing so without any of the checks and regulations 355 00:14:51,660 --> 00:14:53,980 that a large pharmaceutical company need. 356 00:14:53,980 --> 00:14:56,860 I mean, semaglutide is quite a complicated molecule. 357 00:14:56,860 --> 00:15:02,260 It has to be mixed in the right way to make it safe to inject. 358 00:15:02,260 --> 00:15:02,540 And my concern is, if people are trying to do this, It has to be mixed in the right way to make it safe to inject. 359 00:15:02,540 --> 00:15:05,860 And my concern is, if people are trying to do this, 360 00:15:05,860 --> 00:15:06,100 And my concern even if it is in 361 00:15:06,100 --> 00:15:07,340 even if it is in 362 00:15:07,340 --> 00:15:07,580 even if it is in a reputable laboratory that is actually used to making medicines, 363 00:15:07,580 --> 00:15:11,300 a reputable laboratory that is actually used to making medicines, 364 00:15:11,300 --> 00:15:14,260 that is not the same as the approved process, 365 00:15:14,260 --> 00:15:17,380 which is what gets the drug the licence. 366 00:15:17,380 --> 00:15:19,660 VOICEOVER: Juniper's Weight Reset Program 367 00:15:19,660 --> 00:15:21,580 takes a medical approach to weight loss. 368 00:15:21,580 --> 00:15:24,100 Large telehealth providers like Juniper 369 00:15:24,100 --> 00:15:27,380 saw a market opportunity in weight-loss drugs. 370 00:15:27,380 --> 00:15:27,620 saw a market opportunity When the name-brand drugs ran out, 371 00:15:27,620 --> 00:15:29,860 When the name-brand drugs ran out, 372 00:15:29,860 --> 00:15:33,260 they started offering compounded versions instead. 373 00:15:33,260 --> 00:15:36,020 Leaves patients feeling fuller for longer. 374 00:15:37,740 --> 00:15:42,300 Soon after, the Therapeutic Goods Administration issued a safety alert 375 00:15:42,300 --> 00:15:42,540 Soon after, the Therapeutic Goods about compounded weight-loss drugs. 376 00:15:42,540 --> 00:15:45,220 about compounded weight-loss drugs. 377 00:15:46,940 --> 00:15:48,420 The most important message 378 00:15:48,420 --> 00:15:48,660 is that the TGA has not evaluated The most important message 379 00:15:48,660 --> 00:15:50,900 is that the TGA has not evaluated these drugs, 380 00:15:50,900 --> 00:15:53,540 that we can't tell you exactly what they are, 381 00:15:53,540 --> 00:15:57,060 we can't tell you if they work and we can't tell you if they're safe. 382 00:15:57,060 --> 00:15:58,860 And we have no oversight of the quality 383 00:15:58,860 --> 00:15:59,100 And we have no oversight of these medications at all. 384 00:15:59,100 --> 00:16:01,100 of these medications at all. 385 00:16:01,100 --> 00:16:03,500 I think it's been a bit confusing. 386 00:16:03,500 --> 00:16:06,860 There's lots of things that keep coming out with TGA, 387 00:16:06,860 --> 00:16:07,900 which we post in our group 388 00:16:07,900 --> 00:16:08,100 which we post in our group so people can look at it 389 00:16:08,100 --> 00:16:09,180 so people can look at it 390 00:16:09,180 --> 00:16:11,780 and they can make their own informed choices about it. 391 00:16:12,740 --> 00:16:14,460 Many in Lauren's Facebook community 392 00:16:14,460 --> 00:16:17,220 rely on compounded versions of the drugs. 393 00:16:18,180 --> 00:16:24,060 We definitely put that in the group as a viable option to keep on going, 394 00:16:24,060 --> 00:16:26,900 but only going to a reputable chemist. 395 00:16:26,900 --> 00:16:27,140 but only going Don't go to these scammy things 396 00:16:27,140 --> 00:16:29,100 Don't go to these scammy things 397 00:16:29,100 --> 00:16:29,340 that come up in an ad on Facebook Don't go to these scammy things 398 00:16:29,340 --> 00:16:32,500 that come up in an ad on Facebook or you get an email. 399 00:16:32,500 --> 00:16:32,740 that come up in an ad on Facebook Yeah, reputable. 400 00:16:32,740 --> 00:16:34,140 Yeah, reputable. 401 00:16:34,140 --> 00:16:35,380 Hi! 402 00:16:35,380 --> 00:16:37,300 Hey! How are you?! 403 00:16:37,300 --> 00:16:38,420 I'm good. How are you going? 404 00:16:38,420 --> 00:16:39,900 I'm good. 405 00:16:39,900 --> 00:16:41,380 Kate is one of the moderators 406 00:16:41,380 --> 00:16:41,620 helping Lauren manage Kate is one of the moderators 407 00:16:41,620 --> 00:16:45,020 helping Lauren manage the ever-expanding Facebook group. 408 00:16:45,020 --> 00:16:48,580 They're often on the lookout for dodgy suppliers. 409 00:16:48,580 --> 00:16:54,540 I've seen quite a few posts about being...like, the dodgy scams. 410 00:16:54,540 --> 00:16:58,340 I've seen a few with, like, emails, but also faxes 411 00:16:58,340 --> 00:17:00,780 and ads on Facebook as well. 412 00:17:00,780 --> 00:17:03,740 Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there 413 00:17:03,740 --> 00:17:08,300 who are trying to make money off of a really bad situation. 414 00:17:08,300 --> 00:17:12,940 People getting faxes from just random chemists. 415 00:17:12,940 --> 00:17:15,700 People I know in group have paid money, 416 00:17:15,700 --> 00:17:15,940 People I know in group and then nothing. 417 00:17:15,940 --> 00:17:18,380 and then nothing. 418 00:17:18,380 --> 00:17:19,540 Never arrives. 419 00:17:19,540 --> 00:17:19,780 And then they can't get in contact Never arrives. 420 00:17:19,780 --> 00:17:23,300 And then they can't get in contact with the chemist. 421 00:17:23,300 --> 00:17:26,180 People just... They don't care, they just want to make a buck, 422 00:17:26,180 --> 00:17:29,140 and they'll just do it to anyone, really. 423 00:17:29,140 --> 00:17:29,420 Look, I think there's always the door open and they'll just do it to anyone, really. 424 00:17:29,420 --> 00:17:31,740 Look, I think there's always the door open 425 00:17:31,740 --> 00:17:36,580 for people to scam people who want to lose weight. 426 00:17:36,580 --> 00:17:36,860 for people to scam people who want to lose weight. They have been readily scammed for decades. 427 00:17:36,860 --> 00:17:39,660 They have been readily scammed for decades. 428 00:17:39,660 --> 00:17:39,900 They have been readily scammed That'll continue. 429 00:17:39,900 --> 00:17:41,180 That'll continue. 430 00:17:48,980 --> 00:17:51,580 We're about to take a deep dive 431 00:17:51,580 --> 00:17:55,980 into a pharmaceutical scam that's been operating in plain sight. 432 00:17:55,980 --> 00:17:57,940 It's a marketing campaign 433 00:17:57,940 --> 00:18:01,420 that's been targeting doctors and patients around the country. 434 00:18:01,420 --> 00:18:01,660 that's been targeting doctors (WAVES LAP, BIRDS SQUALL) 435 00:18:01,660 --> 00:18:04,180 (WAVES LAP, BIRDS SQUALL) 436 00:18:04,180 --> 00:18:07,020 We're heading to Tasmania's north-east coast 437 00:18:07,020 --> 00:18:11,740 after a tip-off that dodgy weight-loss drugs have ended up here 438 00:18:11,740 --> 00:18:11,980 after a tip-off that dodgy and they've made some people sick. 439 00:18:11,980 --> 00:18:14,380 and they've made some people sick. 440 00:18:22,820 --> 00:18:25,140 ANDY HOULT: Compounded Ozempic we've heard about 441 00:18:25,140 --> 00:18:25,380 ANDY HOULT: Compounded Ozempic the last few months, I suppose. 442 00:18:25,380 --> 00:18:27,820 the last few months, I suppose. 443 00:18:27,820 --> 00:18:29,380 But then a few people around town, 444 00:18:29,380 --> 00:18:29,620 when we can't supply them with the genuine product that we've had, But then a few people around town, 445 00:18:29,620 --> 00:18:33,780 when we can't supply them with the genuine product that we've had, 446 00:18:33,780 --> 00:18:34,820 I've heard sort of comments 447 00:18:34,820 --> 00:18:35,060 I've heard sort of comments that they've been able to get it elsewhere online, 448 00:18:35,060 --> 00:18:37,540 that they've been able to get it elsewhere online, 449 00:18:37,540 --> 00:18:37,780 that they've been able to get it that sort of thing. 450 00:18:37,780 --> 00:18:39,060 that sort of thing. 451 00:18:40,420 --> 00:18:43,060 The only pharmacy in the town of St Helens 452 00:18:43,060 --> 00:18:47,220 has struggled to keep up with demand for the name-brand drugs. 453 00:18:48,180 --> 00:18:50,020 So, what are the stocks like at the moment? 454 00:18:50,020 --> 00:18:50,260 So, what are the stocks like We can come and have a look. 455 00:18:50,260 --> 00:18:51,540 We can come and have a look. 456 00:18:51,540 --> 00:18:54,100 Current stock levels haven't been great lately. 457 00:18:55,820 --> 00:18:58,980 So, just looking at one of our wholesalers here, 458 00:18:58,980 --> 00:19:03,100 we've got zero stocks of Ozempic in the 1.5 mil, 459 00:19:03,100 --> 00:19:05,540 and the 3 mil they have limited supplies. 460 00:19:05,540 --> 00:19:07,340 And how long has that been going on for? 461 00:19:07,340 --> 00:19:11,140 It's been like that since about... like this since November. 462 00:19:11,140 --> 00:19:14,740 Previous to that, there wasn't even limited supplies at any. 463 00:19:14,740 --> 00:19:16,380 It was none available at all. 464 00:19:16,380 --> 00:19:18,420 Nothing. OK. 465 00:19:24,660 --> 00:19:26,820 (PHONE RINGS) 466 00:19:26,820 --> 00:19:28,780 Good morning. Ochre Medical Centre. 467 00:19:28,780 --> 00:19:33,420 Last year, the local GP clinic started receiving faxes 468 00:19:33,420 --> 00:19:36,340 offering a solution to the Ozempic shortage. 469 00:19:38,500 --> 00:19:41,060 So, these are the faxes that we would get 470 00:19:41,060 --> 00:19:43,900 from the compounding pharmaceutical companies. 471 00:19:43,900 --> 00:19:47,460 It's a much more aggressive advertising kind of approach 472 00:19:47,460 --> 00:19:49,900 than what we'd normally see from compounding pharmacies. 473 00:19:49,900 --> 00:19:50,140 than what we'd normally see And, so, initially we ignored these 474 00:19:50,140 --> 00:19:52,820 And, so, initially we ignored these 475 00:19:52,820 --> 00:19:56,300 until we had patients really being much more interested 476 00:19:56,300 --> 00:19:59,420 in the use of compounding medications. 477 00:20:02,500 --> 00:20:04,900 Some doctors here began prescribing 478 00:20:04,900 --> 00:20:09,500 the compounded semaglutide promoted in the faxes. 479 00:20:09,500 --> 00:20:09,780 I talk about the advantages and disadvantages of using semaglutide. the compounded semaglutide promoted in the faxes. 480 00:20:09,780 --> 00:20:15,060 I talk about the advantages and disadvantages of using semaglutide. 481 00:20:15,060 --> 00:20:15,340 I talk about the advantages and disadvantages of using semaglutide. Some patients lost 20 kilos, and that was really good. 482 00:20:15,340 --> 00:20:18,740 Some patients lost 20 kilos, and that was really good. 483 00:20:18,740 --> 00:20:21,500 They seemed to have the usual side effects 484 00:20:21,500 --> 00:20:21,740 They seemed to have you would expect from semaglutide. 485 00:20:21,740 --> 00:20:23,380 you would expect from semaglutide. 486 00:20:23,380 --> 00:20:23,620 Mm. you would expect from semaglutide. 487 00:20:23,620 --> 00:20:24,620 Mm. Mm. 488 00:20:24,620 --> 00:20:24,860 Mm. And when did you start thinking 489 00:20:24,860 --> 00:20:27,460 And when did you start thinking 490 00:20:27,460 --> 00:20:29,580 something might not quite be right with it? 491 00:20:29,580 --> 00:20:29,820 something might not What was the first red flag? 492 00:20:29,820 --> 00:20:31,860 What was the first red flag? 493 00:20:31,860 --> 00:20:32,100 We had a patient who came in What was the first red flag? 494 00:20:32,100 --> 00:20:36,820 We had a patient who came in with an unusual problem, 495 00:20:36,820 --> 00:20:37,060 We had a patient who came in who had a sensory neuropathy, 496 00:20:37,060 --> 00:20:40,100 who had a sensory neuropathy, 497 00:20:40,100 --> 00:20:44,060 a problem with the nerves in the periphery of their body, 498 00:20:44,060 --> 00:20:45,700 so, in their hands and their feet. 499 00:20:46,660 --> 00:20:50,740 It was so serious the patient ended up in hospital. 500 00:20:52,740 --> 00:20:57,340 The liquid the patient injected had an unusual bright-red colour. 501 00:20:57,340 --> 00:20:57,580 The liquid the patient injected The label said 502 00:20:57,580 --> 00:20:59,220 The label said 503 00:20:59,220 --> 00:21:04,460 it contained semaglutide, vitamin B12 and L-carnitine, 504 00:21:04,460 --> 00:21:08,740 but testing revealed the patient had high levels of something else - 505 00:21:08,740 --> 00:21:11,220 vitamin B6. 506 00:21:11,220 --> 00:21:15,940 They turned out to have a really high vitamin in their blood level, 507 00:21:15,940 --> 00:21:16,180 They turned out to have a really and that was odd, 508 00:21:16,180 --> 00:21:18,420 and that was odd, 509 00:21:18,420 --> 00:21:20,300 and they weren't on anything 510 00:21:20,300 --> 00:21:23,020 that would increase the level of that vitamin 511 00:21:23,020 --> 00:21:26,500 except for semaglutide from the compounding pharmacy. 512 00:21:27,460 --> 00:21:29,660 We contacted all of our patients 513 00:21:29,660 --> 00:21:32,020 who were using the compounded semaglutide 514 00:21:32,020 --> 00:21:32,260 who were using and essentially said to them, 515 00:21:32,260 --> 00:21:33,580 and essentially said to them, 516 00:21:33,580 --> 00:21:33,820 "I can't be sure and essentially said to them, 517 00:21:33,820 --> 00:21:37,420 "I can't be sure what's in this medication, 518 00:21:37,420 --> 00:21:37,660 "I can't be sure "and, so, my advice is to stop it." 519 00:21:37,660 --> 00:21:40,220 "and, so, my advice is to stop it." 520 00:21:40,220 --> 00:21:42,700 And how concerning was that for you as a doctor? 521 00:21:42,700 --> 00:21:43,820 It was a real shock. 522 00:21:43,820 --> 00:21:45,740 Our patients trust us, 523 00:21:45,740 --> 00:21:49,100 and we trust that the people who supply our medications 524 00:21:49,100 --> 00:21:49,340 and we trust that the people are providing something 525 00:21:49,340 --> 00:21:50,580 are providing something 526 00:21:50,580 --> 00:21:50,820 that's of a quality and a standard are providing something 527 00:21:50,820 --> 00:21:55,180 that's of a quality and a standard that we can rely on. 528 00:21:55,180 --> 00:21:58,700 So, that threw a lot of doubts in our head 529 00:21:58,700 --> 00:21:58,940 So, that threw about where this is coming from 530 00:21:58,940 --> 00:22:02,140 about where this is coming from 531 00:22:02,140 --> 00:22:02,380 and what else might be in there about where this is coming from 532 00:22:02,380 --> 00:22:06,380 and what else might be in there or not in there. 533 00:22:09,900 --> 00:22:14,220 And there was another local with an unusual side effect. 534 00:22:16,900 --> 00:22:18,460 I've just met with a patient 535 00:22:18,460 --> 00:22:21,580 who was taking this compounded weight-loss medication. 536 00:22:21,580 --> 00:22:21,860 She's told very few people she was even on it, who was taking this compounded weight-loss medication. 537 00:22:21,860 --> 00:22:24,900 She's told very few people she was even on it, 538 00:22:24,900 --> 00:22:27,900 so, she doesn't want to go on camera or talk about it publicly. 539 00:22:31,260 --> 00:22:34,620 Initially she had severe diarrhoea and vomiting, 540 00:22:34,620 --> 00:22:37,820 then her mouth wouldn't stop bleeding. 541 00:22:39,420 --> 00:22:41,660 She stopped taking the medication, 542 00:22:41,660 --> 00:22:45,660 but the compounding pharmacy kept trying to sell her more. 543 00:22:48,940 --> 00:22:51,140 She replied this way. 544 00:22:56,500 --> 00:23:00,380 So, the pharmacy was offering the patients more drugs without a script? 545 00:23:00,380 --> 00:23:01,620 That's what it would seem like 546 00:23:01,620 --> 00:23:05,020 when I looked at the text messages the patient showed me, yep. 547 00:23:05,980 --> 00:23:10,540 Doctors couldn't track down the pharmacist who made the drugs. 548 00:23:10,540 --> 00:23:10,780 Doctors couldn't track down We tried to contact them 549 00:23:10,780 --> 00:23:13,020 We tried to contact them 550 00:23:13,020 --> 00:23:17,380 after noticing this problem with the vitamin, 551 00:23:17,380 --> 00:23:19,900 and we didn't get any reply back from them. 552 00:23:20,860 --> 00:23:25,620 Last December, Dr Fox made a formal report to the TGA. 553 00:23:25,620 --> 00:23:29,300 The next month, they asked him to send a vial for testing, 554 00:23:29,300 --> 00:23:31,220 but he never heard back. 555 00:23:32,500 --> 00:23:36,580 It's interesting when I have the conversation with the TGA, 556 00:23:36,580 --> 00:23:39,820 they go, "Well, we're not really responsible 557 00:23:39,820 --> 00:23:43,540 "for managing compounded pharmaceuticals," 558 00:23:43,540 --> 00:23:43,780 "for managing and the pharmaceutical board says, 559 00:23:43,780 --> 00:23:46,020 and the pharmaceutical board says, 560 00:23:46,020 --> 00:23:49,460 "We're not actually monitoring each individual medication." 561 00:23:49,460 --> 00:23:51,420 So, it seems like there's a real hole 562 00:23:51,420 --> 00:23:56,940 in the way we look after these medications and how they're managed 563 00:23:56,940 --> 00:23:59,460 and make sure that they're produced safely. 564 00:24:02,300 --> 00:24:05,660 We wanted to learn more about who was selling the red vials, 565 00:24:05,660 --> 00:24:05,900 We wanted to learn more so, we placed an order. 566 00:24:05,900 --> 00:24:07,540 so, we placed an order. 567 00:24:10,460 --> 00:24:13,300 And I'm going to press 'send' 568 00:24:13,300 --> 00:24:16,020 and we'll see how quickly they respond. 569 00:24:21,700 --> 00:24:25,620 They replied asking how much we wanted. 570 00:24:26,580 --> 00:24:29,860 They've sent through an invoice for the semaglutide. 571 00:24:29,860 --> 00:24:30,100 They've sent through an invoice There's a 'pay now' button. 572 00:24:30,100 --> 00:24:32,420 There's a 'pay now' button. 573 00:24:33,580 --> 00:24:37,580 $150 plus $14.95 shipping. 574 00:24:37,580 --> 00:24:40,860 But, at this point, we haven't even sent a script, 575 00:24:40,860 --> 00:24:41,100 But, at this point, but they're happy to take our money. 576 00:24:41,100 --> 00:24:43,460 but they're happy to take our money. 577 00:24:45,620 --> 00:24:50,220 Four Corners has spoken to dozens of doctors, GP clinics and specialists 578 00:24:50,220 --> 00:24:50,460 Four Corners has spoken to dozens of around the country 579 00:24:50,460 --> 00:24:51,700 around the country 580 00:24:51,700 --> 00:24:51,940 who have been bombarded around the country 581 00:24:51,940 --> 00:24:55,700 who have been bombarded with compounding faxes and emails. 582 00:24:55,700 --> 00:24:59,340 They appear to be from different compounding pharmacies, 583 00:24:59,340 --> 00:24:59,580 They appear to be from different but there are striking similarities. 584 00:24:59,580 --> 00:25:02,260 but there are striking similarities. 585 00:25:08,860 --> 00:25:12,100 The prices and dosage guides are the same. 586 00:25:12,100 --> 00:25:16,660 Many falsely claim they're accredited by industry bodies. 587 00:25:16,660 --> 00:25:19,220 Even spelling mistakes are repeated. 588 00:25:22,940 --> 00:25:27,020 There's never a phone number or a physical address. 589 00:25:27,020 --> 00:25:29,940 Different pharmacies share fax numbers 590 00:25:29,940 --> 00:25:32,180 and there's only ever a Gmail contact. 591 00:25:35,980 --> 00:25:39,100 No pharmacy uses Gmail. It's not really professional. 592 00:25:39,100 --> 00:25:41,540 The fact you can't even find their phone number? 593 00:25:41,540 --> 00:25:44,020 I mean, that's already red flags there. 594 00:25:46,940 --> 00:25:49,900 One pharmacy name that keeps coming up in the faxes 595 00:25:49,900 --> 00:25:52,420 is Total Compounding Pharmaceuticals, 596 00:25:52,420 --> 00:25:54,740 or TCP. 597 00:25:54,740 --> 00:25:58,020 Again TCP - Total Compounding... 598 00:25:58,020 --> 00:26:01,020 It's just dragging my name through the mud. 599 00:26:01,020 --> 00:26:05,780 This pharmacy on Sydney's North Shore has been mistaken for TCP. 600 00:26:05,780 --> 00:26:06,020 This pharmacy on Sydney's North Shore So, we're called 601 00:26:06,020 --> 00:26:06,780 So, we're called 602 00:26:06,780 --> 00:26:06,980 The Compounding Pharmacy Australia. So, we're called 603 00:26:06,980 --> 00:26:08,900 The Compounding Pharmacy Australia. 604 00:26:08,900 --> 00:26:11,100 So, short - TCPA. 605 00:26:11,100 --> 00:26:11,340 And they were So, short - TCPA. 606 00:26:11,340 --> 00:26:13,340 And they were calling themselves TCP. 607 00:26:13,340 --> 00:26:13,580 And they were So, when you Google that, 608 00:26:13,580 --> 00:26:14,820 So, when you Google that, 609 00:26:14,820 --> 00:26:15,020 So, when you Google that, our pharmacy came up first. 610 00:26:15,020 --> 00:26:16,620 our pharmacy came up first. 611 00:26:16,620 --> 00:26:17,700 (PHONE RINGS) 612 00:26:17,700 --> 00:26:19,500 Good afternoon. Compounding Pharmacy Australia. 613 00:26:19,500 --> 00:26:19,740 Good afternoon. Adam speaking. How can I help you? 614 00:26:19,740 --> 00:26:21,020 Adam speaking. How can I help you? 615 00:26:21,020 --> 00:26:23,980 We started getting these phone calls about two years ago. 616 00:26:23,980 --> 00:26:25,580 It was very odd. 617 00:26:25,580 --> 00:26:27,500 At times we were getting 20 a day, 618 00:26:27,500 --> 00:26:31,340 and it was just really affecting the operations of our regular pharmacy. 619 00:26:31,340 --> 00:26:33,860 They kept talking about the weight-loss injections, 620 00:26:33,860 --> 00:26:35,940 and I was like, "We don't even do that." 621 00:26:37,220 --> 00:26:39,420 Angry patients were accusing him 622 00:26:39,420 --> 00:26:43,060 of taking their money but not sending the drugs. 623 00:26:43,060 --> 00:26:45,780 Others who did receive their medication 624 00:26:45,780 --> 00:26:48,300 were worried about what they were sent. 625 00:26:49,260 --> 00:26:52,420 Then when a patient was saying, "No, I've got something in my hand," 626 00:26:52,420 --> 00:26:52,660 Then when a patient was saying, I was like, "Oh, wow, that's... 627 00:26:52,660 --> 00:26:54,300 I was like, "Oh, wow, that's... 628 00:26:54,300 --> 00:26:56,780 "Now this is going up another level, this is actually dangerous 629 00:26:56,780 --> 00:26:59,900 "because they've got something that they are going to inject." 630 00:26:59,900 --> 00:27:00,140 "because they've got something And he was trying to explain, 631 00:27:00,140 --> 00:27:01,780 And he was trying to explain, 632 00:27:01,780 --> 00:27:04,020 and I said, "Can you please send pictures?" 633 00:27:04,980 --> 00:27:09,620 The photos show red vials just like those sent to Tasmania. 634 00:27:09,620 --> 00:27:12,900 My brain says, "That is not sterile at all," 635 00:27:12,900 --> 00:27:15,780 just even the way it's been presented to the patient. 636 00:27:15,780 --> 00:27:17,180 I said, "Do not inject that 637 00:27:17,180 --> 00:27:19,740 "because that is not... that is not sterile." 638 00:27:19,740 --> 00:27:22,900 And, so, we don't know what is actually in there, 639 00:27:22,900 --> 00:27:25,340 let alone if it is the drug, 640 00:27:25,340 --> 00:27:27,780 and then how it was made. 641 00:27:28,780 --> 00:27:32,580 My team and the teams at so many compounding pharmacies, 642 00:27:32,580 --> 00:27:34,140 we're highly trained, highly skilled. 643 00:27:34,140 --> 00:27:36,740 I said, "These are cowboys. Expect the worst." 644 00:27:38,500 --> 00:27:41,340 Adam Reinhard says he reported what he knew 645 00:27:41,340 --> 00:27:43,180 to the New South Wales Pharmacy Council, 646 00:27:43,180 --> 00:27:43,420 to the New South Wales the Pharmacy Board and the police, 647 00:27:43,420 --> 00:27:45,660 the Pharmacy Board and the police, 648 00:27:45,660 --> 00:27:47,580 but it made no difference. 649 00:27:47,580 --> 00:27:47,820 Total Compounding Pharmaceuticals was but it made no difference. 650 00:27:47,820 --> 00:27:52,540 Total Compounding Pharmaceuticals was able to keep selling the red vials. 651 00:27:54,580 --> 00:27:56,460 The way they've set up the operation, 652 00:27:56,460 --> 00:27:58,460 only someone with intricate detail in compounding 653 00:27:58,460 --> 00:27:58,700 only someone would understand how to do. 654 00:27:58,700 --> 00:27:59,940 would understand how to do. 655 00:27:59,940 --> 00:28:01,700 All the information led to me 656 00:28:01,700 --> 00:28:04,940 that someone in the compounding world is part of this. 657 00:28:06,460 --> 00:28:09,180 We've discovered the faxes and red vials 658 00:28:09,180 --> 00:28:13,420 are at the centre of an international pharmaceutical racket. 659 00:28:13,420 --> 00:28:16,180 Evidence from customers across the United States 660 00:28:16,180 --> 00:28:20,820 shows weight-loss drugs are being illegally exported from Australia, 661 00:28:20,820 --> 00:28:24,580 with American doctors and nurses being targeted with faxes 662 00:28:24,580 --> 00:28:28,180 just like the ones we saw in Tasmania. 663 00:28:28,180 --> 00:28:31,260 The scheme has been operating under the fake pharmacy name 664 00:28:31,260 --> 00:28:35,180 Total Compounding Pharmaceuticals, or TCP. 665 00:28:37,100 --> 00:28:40,980 Over here in the United States it's extremely popular right now. 666 00:28:40,980 --> 00:28:45,780 Everybody's wanting to do the weight-loss injections. 667 00:28:45,780 --> 00:28:48,580 How widely do you think these faxes and emails are going 668 00:28:48,580 --> 00:28:48,820 How widely do you think in the United States? 669 00:28:48,820 --> 00:28:50,180 in the United States? 670 00:28:50,180 --> 00:28:50,420 Oh, I'm sure they're going out in the United States? 671 00:28:50,420 --> 00:28:52,940 Oh, I'm sure they're going out everywhere. 672 00:28:52,940 --> 00:28:56,660 I just don't know how they're finding out where to send them. 673 00:28:56,660 --> 00:28:56,900 I just don't know how they're This nurse practitioner in Alabama 674 00:28:56,900 --> 00:28:59,340 This nurse practitioner in Alabama 675 00:28:59,340 --> 00:28:59,580 ordered from This nurse practitioner in Alabama 676 00:28:59,580 --> 00:29:01,820 ordered from Total Compounding Pharmaceuticals 677 00:29:01,820 --> 00:29:04,060 for one of her patients. 678 00:29:04,060 --> 00:29:07,940 It took probably two weeks to get here. 679 00:29:07,940 --> 00:29:11,780 So, that was, like, the first red flag. 680 00:29:11,780 --> 00:29:13,540 I knew the minute that it came in 681 00:29:13,540 --> 00:29:15,700 I was not going to give it to anybody, 682 00:29:15,700 --> 00:29:18,220 it was going to go straight in the disposal 683 00:29:18,220 --> 00:29:21,580 because, number one, it was not cooled, 684 00:29:21,580 --> 00:29:24,460 and then I realised where it was shipped from, 685 00:29:24,460 --> 00:29:24,700 and then I realised and it was from Australia. 686 00:29:24,700 --> 00:29:26,540 and it was from Australia. 687 00:29:26,540 --> 00:29:29,500 And I was shocked. 688 00:29:30,940 --> 00:29:34,580 We found a litany of complaints from American customers 689 00:29:34,580 --> 00:29:37,300 about Total Compounding Pharmaceuticals. 690 00:30:02,420 --> 00:30:07,540 I still get emails to this day from Total Compounding Pharmacy 691 00:30:07,540 --> 00:30:11,140 wanting me to order more medicine from them. 692 00:30:11,140 --> 00:30:16,660 But, of course, I'm not crazy enough to do something like that. 693 00:30:18,980 --> 00:30:21,620 Our order still hadn't arrived, 694 00:30:21,620 --> 00:30:26,220 but my bank statement revealed yet another name - Biopharmacy. 695 00:30:29,340 --> 00:30:31,140 Unlike TCP, 696 00:30:31,140 --> 00:30:35,660 it WAS once registered as a real pharmacy in Australia. 697 00:30:45,980 --> 00:30:49,980 So, this is an address linked to the company that we're interested in. 698 00:30:49,980 --> 00:30:50,220 So, this is an address linked to The tenants next door have told us 699 00:30:50,220 --> 00:30:52,060 The tenants next door have told us 700 00:30:52,060 --> 00:30:54,940 that there was actually a compounding pharmacy here, 701 00:30:54,940 --> 00:30:57,620 but they suddenly disappeared a few years ago 702 00:30:57,620 --> 00:31:00,220 and left a whole lot of equipment, including a pill press. 703 00:31:00,220 --> 00:31:04,460 They also said there's lots of unopened mail 704 00:31:04,460 --> 00:31:04,700 They also said that's been here for ages. 705 00:31:04,700 --> 00:31:07,700 that's been here for ages. 706 00:31:07,700 --> 00:31:07,940 There's a whole lot of different that's been here for ages. 707 00:31:07,940 --> 00:31:11,820 There's a whole lot of different company names linked to this address. 708 00:31:11,820 --> 00:31:15,140 So, it looks like they definitely were here. 709 00:31:15,140 --> 00:31:15,380 So, it looks like The tenants next door also told us 710 00:31:15,380 --> 00:31:17,380 The tenants next door also told us 711 00:31:17,380 --> 00:31:17,620 that they had people turning up The tenants next door also told us 712 00:31:17,620 --> 00:31:20,820 that they had people turning up to the tyre shop with scripts 713 00:31:20,820 --> 00:31:23,060 saying they were trying to get them filled, 714 00:31:23,060 --> 00:31:23,300 saying they were trying and they sent them in here. 715 00:31:23,300 --> 00:31:24,740 and they sent them in here. 716 00:31:24,740 --> 00:31:28,780 And this is where there actually was a large compounding pharmacy, 717 00:31:28,780 --> 00:31:31,020 but they haven't been seen for years. 718 00:31:40,020 --> 00:31:43,820 And then the order we placed finally arrived. 719 00:31:48,020 --> 00:31:50,540 So, this is the package we've been waiting for. 720 00:31:50,540 --> 00:31:54,220 We're going to have to go and open it and see what's actually inside. 721 00:32:05,100 --> 00:32:09,020 There's lots and lots of layers of plastic. 722 00:32:10,620 --> 00:32:11,620 It stinks. 723 00:32:11,620 --> 00:32:11,860 It smells really strongly like It stinks. 724 00:32:11,860 --> 00:32:16,180 It smells really strongly like chemicals or plastic or something. 725 00:32:16,180 --> 00:32:16,420 It smells really strongly like It's wet. 726 00:32:16,420 --> 00:32:18,860 It's wet. 727 00:32:21,020 --> 00:32:26,780 And here's our vial of red liquid. 728 00:32:31,620 --> 00:32:34,180 This looks like one of the ice packs has exploded, 729 00:32:34,180 --> 00:32:37,140 so, there's weird stuff all through it. 730 00:32:38,100 --> 00:32:42,380 There were syringes and instructions on how much to inject 731 00:32:42,380 --> 00:32:45,660 even though we'd never sent a script. 732 00:32:45,660 --> 00:32:49,620 It says it was posted from Dispatch Compound Centre, 733 00:32:49,620 --> 00:32:53,100 Queen Street Mall, Brisbane, Queensland, Toowoomba. 734 00:32:53,100 --> 00:32:57,260 So, we have really no idea where it's actually come from. 735 00:32:59,420 --> 00:33:04,020 And then a critical lead came from an unhappy US customer. 736 00:33:04,020 --> 00:33:04,260 And then a critical lead She wanted a refund, 737 00:33:04,260 --> 00:33:05,540 She wanted a refund, 738 00:33:05,540 --> 00:33:09,020 so, PayPal told her to return the medicine to the seller 739 00:33:09,020 --> 00:33:09,260 so, PayPal told her at a residential address in Sydney. 740 00:33:09,260 --> 00:33:12,340 at a residential address in Sydney. 741 00:33:22,100 --> 00:33:24,420 (KNOCKS) 742 00:33:34,740 --> 00:33:36,540 So, there's no answer at the door. 743 00:33:36,540 --> 00:33:39,100 But I've spoken to all the neighbours surrounding the house. 744 00:33:39,100 --> 00:33:39,340 But I've spoken to all They've all told me the same thing, 745 00:33:39,340 --> 00:33:40,580 They've all told me the same thing, 746 00:33:40,580 --> 00:33:44,100 that there's a constant stream of deliveries turning up at the house, 747 00:33:44,100 --> 00:33:46,420 trucks that back into the driveway 748 00:33:46,420 --> 00:33:51,020 and unload large boxes, sometimes things on pallets, into the garage, 749 00:33:51,020 --> 00:33:54,420 and that they keep to themselves and that the blinds are often closed. 750 00:33:57,180 --> 00:33:59,780 We discovered the owner of the house 751 00:33:59,780 --> 00:34:03,700 is New South Wales registered pharmacist Emad Azzer. 752 00:34:03,700 --> 00:34:07,260 His licence states he's not allowed to compound drugs 753 00:34:07,260 --> 00:34:11,220 or have a financial interest in any compounding pharmacy. 754 00:34:11,220 --> 00:34:13,980 His involvement in the weight-loss-drug operation 755 00:34:13,980 --> 00:34:18,700 is obscured through a complex web of fake pharmacy names. 756 00:34:21,900 --> 00:34:24,140 Would you be surprised to hear 757 00:34:24,140 --> 00:34:28,060 that we've found an Australian registered pharmacist 758 00:34:28,060 --> 00:34:30,900 illegally compounding weight-loss drugs 759 00:34:30,900 --> 00:34:32,220 and selling them without a script 760 00:34:32,220 --> 00:34:34,780 to Australians and to people overseas? 761 00:34:34,780 --> 00:34:39,180 We are investigating a number of organisations 762 00:34:39,180 --> 00:34:40,900 that we have information on 763 00:34:40,900 --> 00:34:41,100 that are doing things that we have information on 764 00:34:41,100 --> 00:34:42,620 that are doing things 765 00:34:42,620 --> 00:34:47,140 that are outside of the legal exemptions in this area. 766 00:34:47,140 --> 00:34:48,980 When will that be able to be stopped? 767 00:34:48,980 --> 00:34:50,380 Because it's still happening today. 768 00:34:50,380 --> 00:34:51,940 We are moving as fast as we can 769 00:34:51,940 --> 00:34:57,020 in order to be able to bring about the relevant changes. 770 00:34:57,020 --> 00:34:57,300 When there's a perceived lucrative market in anywhere, in order to be able to bring about the relevant changes. 771 00:34:57,300 --> 00:35:02,620 When there's a perceived lucrative market in anywhere, 772 00:35:02,620 --> 00:35:02,860 When there's a perceived you're going to get cowboys. 773 00:35:02,860 --> 00:35:04,100 you're going to get cowboys. 774 00:35:04,100 --> 00:35:06,620 But the problem is, at the moment with compounding, 775 00:35:06,620 --> 00:35:06,900 But the problem is, at the moment with compounding, there's really...there's not enough checks and oversight 776 00:35:06,900 --> 00:35:10,740 there's really...there's not enough checks and oversight 777 00:35:10,740 --> 00:35:12,220 that's happening. 778 00:35:12,220 --> 00:35:16,740 And, so, until we get that, we're going to keep seeing these cowboys. 779 00:35:16,740 --> 00:35:18,100 And unfortunately what it does 780 00:35:18,100 --> 00:35:18,340 is it puts pressure on the guys And unfortunately what it does 781 00:35:18,340 --> 00:35:21,940 is it puts pressure on the guys that are actually doing things 782 00:35:21,940 --> 00:35:22,180 is it puts pressure on the guys as they should. 783 00:35:22,180 --> 00:35:23,460 as they should. 784 00:35:27,340 --> 00:35:32,740 (CHATTER, LAUGHTER) 785 00:35:32,740 --> 00:35:34,620 In February, the TGA made a move 786 00:35:34,620 --> 00:35:37,580 against the established compounding industry 787 00:35:37,580 --> 00:35:37,820 against the established with a proposal to stop them 788 00:35:37,820 --> 00:35:39,180 with a proposal to stop them 789 00:35:39,180 --> 00:35:39,420 from compounding with a proposal to stop them 790 00:35:39,420 --> 00:35:43,420 from compounding replica weight-loss drugs altogether. 791 00:35:49,220 --> 00:35:51,420 The Therapeutic Goods Administration 792 00:35:51,420 --> 00:35:54,420 will move to ban compounding pharmacists 793 00:35:54,420 --> 00:35:58,060 from making their own versions of injectable weight-loss drugs 794 00:35:58,060 --> 00:35:58,300 from making their own versions like Ozempic and Mounjaro. 795 00:35:58,300 --> 00:36:00,780 like Ozempic and Mounjaro. 796 00:36:00,780 --> 00:36:03,940 I'm joined by health reporter Elise Worthington. 797 00:36:05,100 --> 00:36:09,380 The TGA has concerns that this is happening on such a wide scale 798 00:36:09,380 --> 00:36:11,540 that it could be a public health and safety risk. 799 00:36:11,540 --> 00:36:15,260 So, it's kind of thrown people into a bit of a spin 800 00:36:15,260 --> 00:36:18,420 because people who are taking these medications are very reliant on them. 801 00:36:18,420 --> 00:36:18,660 because people who are taking these If they cease taking them, 802 00:36:18,660 --> 00:36:20,180 If they cease taking them, 803 00:36:20,180 --> 00:36:23,300 the studies show that people immediately regain weight, 804 00:36:23,300 --> 00:36:24,900 if that's the reason that they're taking them for. 805 00:36:24,900 --> 00:36:25,140 if that's the reason If they're taking them for diabetes, 806 00:36:25,140 --> 00:36:26,380 If they're taking them for diabetes, 807 00:36:26,380 --> 00:36:28,140 they need to continue that medication as well. 808 00:36:28,140 --> 00:36:31,420 So, of course, people aren't choosing to take compounded medications. 809 00:36:31,420 --> 00:36:32,980 They'd much rather have the name brand, 810 00:36:32,980 --> 00:36:36,300 but that's just not available regularly in a good supply 811 00:36:36,300 --> 00:36:36,540 but that's just not available in Australia at the moment. 812 00:36:36,540 --> 00:36:38,460 in Australia at the moment. 813 00:36:38,460 --> 00:36:39,700 Is this an admission 814 00:36:39,700 --> 00:36:42,900 that there's been a failure in regulation that's led to this point? 815 00:36:42,900 --> 00:36:44,860 I think this is how regulation works, 816 00:36:44,860 --> 00:36:45,100 I think recognising that there is activity 817 00:36:45,100 --> 00:36:46,900 recognising that there is activity 818 00:36:46,900 --> 00:36:47,140 that is not in keeping recognising that there is activity 819 00:36:47,140 --> 00:36:49,940 that is not in keeping with the safety of the community 820 00:36:49,940 --> 00:36:50,180 that is not in keeping and taking action to address it. 821 00:36:50,180 --> 00:36:52,980 and taking action to address it. 822 00:36:55,940 --> 00:36:58,180 Total Compounding Pharmaceuticals 823 00:36:58,180 --> 00:37:01,060 has been able to operate for years unchecked. 824 00:37:01,060 --> 00:37:06,020 The TGA first received reports about the scam at least five months ago. 825 00:37:06,020 --> 00:37:10,580 Last week we shared the findings of our investigation with them. 826 00:37:10,580 --> 00:37:12,100 48 hours later 827 00:37:12,100 --> 00:37:15,540 they executed a search warrant at Emad Azzer's home. 828 00:37:37,900 --> 00:37:40,220 A team of forensics experts 829 00:37:40,220 --> 00:37:44,220 has descended on the house in Western Sydney looking for evidence. 830 00:37:44,220 --> 00:37:46,740 The owners of this house haven't been seen for days, 831 00:37:46,740 --> 00:37:48,980 and the letters that we've left requesting comment 832 00:37:48,980 --> 00:37:51,620 are still by the front door. 833 00:37:53,780 --> 00:37:55,220 Inside the property 834 00:37:55,220 --> 00:37:55,460 investigators found vials Inside the property 835 00:37:55,460 --> 00:37:58,260 investigators found vials of red liquid, 836 00:37:58,260 --> 00:37:58,500 investigators found vials which they seized for testing. 837 00:37:58,500 --> 00:38:00,180 which they seized for testing. 838 00:38:00,180 --> 00:38:03,060 There was also packaging and documents. 839 00:38:03,060 --> 00:38:07,060 The TGA says its investigations are ongoing. 840 00:38:08,900 --> 00:38:10,940 DR KATHRYN WILLIAMS: It's a natural progression, isn't it? 841 00:38:10,940 --> 00:38:14,220 Because people are desperate for a drug. There's a market. 842 00:38:14,220 --> 00:38:16,500 Someone's going to try and fill that market. 843 00:38:17,460 --> 00:38:20,060 I think it's a total system failure. 844 00:38:20,060 --> 00:38:22,260 We really need to solve this problem. 845 00:38:26,460 --> 00:38:29,860 Dr Kathryn Williams despairs over the struggle 846 00:38:29,860 --> 00:38:33,500 to access weight-loss drugs for her patients. 847 00:38:34,620 --> 00:38:37,380 I suppose that's what I would really like to get across, 848 00:38:37,380 --> 00:38:39,900 that this is an emergency for some people. 849 00:38:40,780 --> 00:38:42,340 (PHONE RINGS) 850 00:38:42,340 --> 00:38:46,180 Good morning. Metabolic Health Service. Wilma speaking. 851 00:38:46,180 --> 00:38:48,700 OK, certainly. So, just your name, please. 852 00:38:50,460 --> 00:38:54,740 The Nepean Family Metabolic Health Service in Sydney's west 853 00:38:54,740 --> 00:38:59,660 treats patients with complex obesity-related health problems. 854 00:39:00,620 --> 00:39:04,180 The crisis over the cost and availability of weight-loss drugs 855 00:39:04,180 --> 00:39:04,420 The crisis over the cost is felt acutely here. 856 00:39:04,420 --> 00:39:06,980 is felt acutely here. 857 00:39:06,980 --> 00:39:07,220 Being an obesity specialist has really challenged me as a doctor is felt acutely here. 858 00:39:07,220 --> 00:39:11,980 Being an obesity specialist has really challenged me as a doctor 859 00:39:11,980 --> 00:39:14,700 because I know what will work, 860 00:39:14,700 --> 00:39:14,940 because I know what will work, but I can't always get access to what will work. 861 00:39:14,940 --> 00:39:18,500 but I can't always get access to what will work. 862 00:39:18,500 --> 00:39:23,580 And I see people suffering every day and people that are really sick 863 00:39:23,580 --> 00:39:26,940 and the hoops that we have to go through 864 00:39:26,940 --> 00:39:28,540 to get the medications to those people 865 00:39:28,540 --> 00:39:28,780 to get the medications that will have a massive effect, 866 00:39:28,780 --> 00:39:30,060 that will have a massive effect, 867 00:39:30,060 --> 00:39:32,020 and we can't provide that. 868 00:39:41,580 --> 00:39:45,300 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 869 00:39:52,780 --> 00:39:55,980 We know that when you lose weight 870 00:39:55,980 --> 00:39:56,220 a certain amount of muscle mass We know that when you lose weight 871 00:39:56,220 --> 00:39:59,140 a certain amount of muscle mass is also lost. 872 00:40:00,100 --> 00:40:03,620 Dr Williams leads the multidisciplinary program 873 00:40:03,620 --> 00:40:05,020 at Nepean Hospital. 874 00:40:05,020 --> 00:40:09,740 Some patients have to wait for years to get a place here. 875 00:40:10,900 --> 00:40:15,180 It's important to have protein food as you're losing weight. 876 00:40:15,180 --> 00:40:18,380 But there's no guarantee they'll be able to access drugs 877 00:40:18,380 --> 00:40:18,620 But there's no guarantee like Ozempic and Mounjaro 878 00:40:18,620 --> 00:40:20,100 like Ozempic and Mounjaro 879 00:40:20,100 --> 00:40:22,300 to help them lose weight. 880 00:40:23,500 --> 00:40:25,060 PATIENT: So, with the cost, 881 00:40:25,060 --> 00:40:27,540 if, obviously, it's something like $400 a month, 882 00:40:27,540 --> 00:40:32,700 that's not going to be in my budget to be able to afford. 883 00:40:32,700 --> 00:40:36,620 But if it was within my budget, I'd definitely be trying it. 884 00:40:36,620 --> 00:40:36,860 But if it was within my budget, So, across the day... 885 00:40:36,860 --> 00:40:38,780 So, across the day... 886 00:40:38,780 --> 00:40:42,580 I think everyone in this group has medical indication 887 00:40:42,580 --> 00:40:43,820 for these medications, 888 00:40:43,820 --> 00:40:47,020 and, so, if they choose that that is the right therapy for them, 889 00:40:47,020 --> 00:40:49,220 then they have the right to access them. 890 00:40:49,220 --> 00:40:53,420 And I wish that they would have the access to those medications. 891 00:40:53,420 --> 00:40:57,780 And what have been the challenges with these medications 892 00:40:57,780 --> 00:40:58,020 And what have been the challenges for you as a service? 893 00:40:58,020 --> 00:41:00,260 for you as a service? 894 00:41:00,260 --> 00:41:03,100 The biggest one has been the fact that it's user pays. 895 00:41:03,100 --> 00:41:04,980 So, our patients 896 00:41:04,980 --> 00:41:09,060 don't have the economic ability to pay for these drugs as a rule. 897 00:41:09,060 --> 00:41:09,300 don't have the economic ability We're creating health inequity. 898 00:41:09,300 --> 00:41:11,540 We're creating health inequity. 899 00:41:14,260 --> 00:41:16,180 Ayipey! Would you like to come through? 900 00:41:16,180 --> 00:41:16,420 Ayipey! It's not just the cost. 901 00:41:16,420 --> 00:41:17,820 It's not just the cost. 902 00:41:17,820 --> 00:41:20,300 Even those who start on the medications 903 00:41:20,300 --> 00:41:23,620 can't be sure they'll be able to continue on them. 904 00:41:23,620 --> 00:41:25,780 So, I understand you've been having a bit of trouble 905 00:41:25,780 --> 00:41:26,020 So, I understand accessing the Ozempic therapy, 906 00:41:26,020 --> 00:41:27,740 accessing the Ozempic therapy, 907 00:41:27,740 --> 00:41:31,060 and, like expected, when you come off these medications, 908 00:41:31,060 --> 00:41:32,420 there is a little bit of weight regain 909 00:41:32,420 --> 00:41:35,100 despite your best efforts and you eating well. 910 00:41:35,100 --> 00:41:35,340 despite your best efforts It's a bit...annoying, 911 00:41:35,340 --> 00:41:39,020 It's a bit...annoying, 912 00:41:39,020 --> 00:41:40,460 like it comes and then it goes, 913 00:41:40,460 --> 00:41:42,940 and then you get confused in between, 914 00:41:42,940 --> 00:41:46,260 because being obese or overweight, 915 00:41:46,260 --> 00:41:48,220 it's not...it's not something... 916 00:41:48,220 --> 00:41:48,460 Mm. it's not...it's not something... 917 00:41:48,460 --> 00:41:50,220 Mm. It's not good. 918 00:41:51,180 --> 00:41:55,020 I wish we will have it for people like me 919 00:41:55,020 --> 00:41:56,380 so that we will not run out. 920 00:41:56,380 --> 00:41:57,700 Like, every time you go, 921 00:41:57,700 --> 00:41:59,420 you get what the doctor wants you to get. 922 00:41:59,420 --> 00:41:59,660 you get what the doctor And it will help us 923 00:41:59,660 --> 00:42:01,060 And it will help us 924 00:42:01,060 --> 00:42:02,500 because without that 925 00:42:02,500 --> 00:42:05,060 it makes you also... your mental health, 926 00:42:05,060 --> 00:42:08,740 you start to worry and panic and all that. 927 00:42:17,340 --> 00:42:22,340 Until drug companies can improve supply of the brand-name medications, 928 00:42:22,340 --> 00:42:26,900 there's an opportunity for unscrupulous players to fill the gap. 929 00:42:31,260 --> 00:42:34,380 I don't think anyone knew that this was going to happen. 930 00:42:34,380 --> 00:42:37,260 But I guess in retrospect it's pretty obvious. 931 00:42:38,420 --> 00:42:41,100 So far regulators are playing catch-up, 932 00:42:41,100 --> 00:42:41,340 So far leaving consumers exposed. 933 00:42:41,340 --> 00:42:44,340 leaving consumers exposed. 934 00:42:45,300 --> 00:42:49,380 Don't go to these scammy things that come up in an ad on Facebook 935 00:42:49,380 --> 00:42:50,660 or you get an email. 936 00:42:50,660 --> 00:42:52,620 People are desperate 937 00:42:52,620 --> 00:42:55,020 because they just want to be able 938 00:42:55,020 --> 00:42:57,860 to be the best versions of themselves. 939 00:42:57,860 --> 00:43:01,380 We just want to be able to access these medications. 940 00:43:01,380 --> 00:43:03,380 And there's no reason for the judgement. 941 00:43:03,380 --> 00:43:03,620 And there's no reason They are life-changing. 942 00:43:03,620 --> 00:43:06,660 They are life-changing. 943 00:43:06,660 --> 00:43:07,980 They're life-changing medications. 944 00:43:07,980 --> 00:43:10,060 So... Yeah. 945 00:43:14,260 --> 00:43:16,260 (THEME MUSIC PLAYS) 946 00:43:31,460 --> 00:43:33,260 Captions by Red Bee Media 947 00:43:33,260 --> 00:43:33,500 Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation Captions by Red Bee Media 948 00:43:33,500 --> 00:43:35,460 Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation