She lives with obesity, lipedema, andlymphedemaconditions that cause swelling and fat buildup.
Over the years, she had tried bariatric surgery and various medications, only to see her weight return.
But Bramblette is on Medicare for disability, and the government health program doesnt cover medications for obesity.
Verywell / Mira Norian
Paying for a month of the drugs would wipe out a whole disability check, she said.
Medicare covers diabetes medications, but not those indicated for weight loss.
Its just very, very frustrating.
Shortages of the medication had her driving to pharmacies across south Florida seeking one with available stock.
Its not a fad, she said.
Theres a difference between treatment of obesity and diet culture, she said.
How Do These Drugs Promote Weight Loss?
They create a feeling of being full when patients eat less than usual.
Medications are a crucial step in their path to weight loss.
Bessesen said that weight bias and stigma often factor into providers decisions not to prescribe weight loss medications.
Bariatric surgeryis the current gold standard for weight loss.
Diabetes could be treated with diet exercise.
And yet that kind of language gets used all the time with people with obesity, Bessesen said.
But this mindset is acting like shifting, at least among some providers, Bessesen said.
Theres always been this idea that we just needed to eat less and move more.
List prices for the drugs run upwards of $1,300 per month.
The medicine is being selectively prescribed to people who pay for it out of pocket, Bessesen said.
For the weight loss drugs to work, patients must take the drug consistently for life.
Im really hopeful that some of that will change in the near future.
Bramblette said shes reliant on medication to continue improving her health.
With the existing accessibility challenges, the cost barriers add insult to injury.
Its just the fact that theyre laying down thousands of dollars a month for maybe 15 pounds.
Ive never only been 15 pounds overweight.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA Drug Shortages: Current and Resolved Drug Shortages and Discontinuations Reported to FDA.
2020;105(3):866-876. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgaa006
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adult Obesity Facts.
