The telehealth company Ro has launched a new online tool to help patients locate pharmacies that currently have Ozempic (semaglutide) and other GLP-1 medications in stock amid an ongoing nationwide shortage.
The “GLP-1 Supplier Tracker” shows real-time inventory data from over 35,000 pharmacies across the U.S. for popular GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Rybelsus.
Ro’s telehealth platform has seen soaring demand for prescribing these medications for diabetes and obesity treatment. But widespread shortages have made it extremely difficult for many patients to actually fill their prescriptions.
The supply tracker aims to reduce that frustration by allowing Ro’s patients to easily find nearby pharmacies that have their needed GLP-1 medication available.
Demand for the weight loss drugs has far outstripped supply, driven by their impressive efficacy and viral popularity on social media. Manufacturers like Novo Nordisk have been struggling to ramp up production quickly enough.
In addition to the tracker tool, Ro also implemented new rules limiting GLP-1 prescriptions to patients with specific clinical needs to preserve supplies for those most in need of the medications.
As one of the leading telehealth providers of weight loss treatment, Ro hopes the tracker provides more transparency for patients amid the chaotic shortage situation for these hot drugs.
