Starting the Body Program
📣 Medication Supply Update
There are variations in local availability of GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy and Zepbound. As a result, patients may have trouble filling their prescription at a particular pharmacy.
This section includes the latest details about how Ro is responding to the medication supply variability to best support our patients. We’ll continue to update it as new information becomes available.
If you've been waiting for medication, we want you to know that there are other options.
We’re working with LillyDirect to offer Zepbound in FDA-approved single-dose vials, which has the exact same active ingredient (tirzepatide) as Zepbound pens and in stock now. If prescribed, the vials will typically be shipped to you within 1-4 days.
In most states, we’re also offering compounded semaglutide, which uses the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy. If prescribed, the medication will be shipped to you within 1-4 days.
Another option is to pay cash for Ozempic, which has not been as impacted by the supply issues. Please note that it’s typically not covered by insurance without a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
Common Questions
Which medications are impacted by the limited supply of medications?
Wegovy and Zepbound drug manufacturers anticipate that patients will likely be impacted by supply shortages and experience difficulty filling their prescriptions.
For Wegovy patients, the starter and lower doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg are most impacted and experiencing fulfillment delays.
For Zepbound patients, we’re seeing that many can start treatment but then face trouble filling prescriptions for higher doses.
The drug manufacturer for Ozempic has not announced anticipated shortages, but our team will continue monitoring that medication supply.
How are Ro and Ro-affiliated providers responding to supply limitations?
Ro and Ro-affiliated providers are taking additional steps to support new and existing patients on their weight loss journeys.
Your provider may adjust your treatment plan if it's clinically appropriate. These adjustments may include:
prescribing alternate GLP-1 medications (if appropriate)
working with you to create a personalized treatment plan
or recommending adjustments to diet, lifestyle, and current fitness activities
If you’re prescribed a GLP-1 that’s in short supply, you may be able to join your pharmacy’s waitlist for when the medication is back in stock.
Will supply limitations impact my ability to get my prescription filled?
If you were prescribed a branded GLP-1 pen, there might be a delay in filling your prescription in your pharmacy.
To help patients get medication faster, we've expanded our medication offerings in most states to include:
Zepbound single-dose vials (through our integration with LillyDirect), which has the exact same active ingredient (tirzepatide) as the Zepbound pen, and not facing supply variation. If prescribed, the medication will be shipped to you within 1-4 days.
Compounded semaglutide, which contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy. If prescribed, the medication will be shipped to you within 1-4 days.
If you’re interested in exploring other treatment options, send your provider a message in your Ro account chat. They’ll walk you through the next steps to see if another medication is right for you.
If you want to wait out the shortage for Wegovy, we’ll send your prescription to your pharmacy. If they don’t have supply, they may add you to a waitlist for when medication becomes available. We recommend calling your pharmacy to ask about their waitlist.
What happens if I’m waiting for a long time to get my prescription filled?
Reach out to your provider in your Ro account chat to find out about other options that may be a good fit for you.
What can I do to give myself the best opportunity to refill my prescription on time?
To get medication in time for your next refill, we encourage you to complete your refill check-in before your second shot of Ozempic, Zepbound, Wegovy or compounded semaglutide, or as soon as you start your 1.8 mg dose of Saxenda. This will allow us to submit your information to your pharmacy sooner, giving them more time to fill the next prescription and increasing the likelihood of getting your medication when you need it.
If you’re on a dose of a branded GLP-1 by delays in finding medication in stock at pharmacies, you can consider switching to compounded semaglutide or Zepbound single-dose vials. These medications are in stock, and you’ll get it within 1-4 days. Reach out to your provider in your Ro account chat soon to see if either option could be right for you.
Should I stop medication and wait for the supply issues to be over?
Connect with your provider to discuss the options available to you if you’re experiencing delays in filling your prescription. In general, stopping your medication is not harmful to you. But if you stop taking your medication, you may begin to notice weight gain.
GLP-1 medications help decrease your appetite. When you start to have less medication in your system, your appetite may start to increase (which may lead to weight gain).
The amount of weight gain depends on how long you were on the medication, how much weight you lost, and how long you stopped medication.
Can I switch to another medication if I’m still waiting for my prescription to be filled?
You can reach out to your provider in Ro account to see if another medication could be a good fit for you, and could allow you to start or continue treatment sooner.
Ro is working with LillyDirect to offer Zepbound single-dose vials, the exact same active ingredient (tirzepatide) as the pen. Compounded semaglutide through Ro is also in stock. Once prescribed, both options will ship to you within 1-4 days.
Learn more about Zepbound single-dose vials or compounded semaglutide.
What if supply limitations cause a gap in my treatment?
If you’re worried about a potential gap in your treatment, please reach out to your provider directly. They can work with you to understand whether it makes sense to change to your care plan and discuss the specific details of those shifts.
If I switched to Saxenda during the shortage, can I switch back to Wegovy after supply is more available?
If clinically appropriate, your provider can help you switch back to Wegovy when supply is more available, but insurance coverage is not guaranteed, even if your Wegovy was previously covered. If you receive a prescription for Saxenda and want to switch back to Wegovy, our partner will have to run benefits verification again. When switching back to Wegovy, your insurer could deny coverage.