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NAVIGATING
MEDICATION SHORTAGES

WE GUARANTEE RESULTS, NOT MEDICATION.

If you’ve been taking a GLP-1 medication in the last two years, chances are you’ve experienced a shortage. Medication is just one tool in your toolbox, and at Calibrate, we use medication as a tool—not the entire treatment.

Important FDA Update on Ozempic®

On December 21, 2023, the FDA issued a warning about counterfeit Ozempic (semaglutide) 1mg injections in the legitimate U.S. drug supply chain. What this means is that there’s a chance that your local or online pharmacy may be carrying counterfeit medication. If you are currently taking any other GLP-1 medication, this does not impact you and you can continue to take your medication as prescribed.

Calibrate recommends that all members with a prescription for Ozempic 1mg injections check their medication label for lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057. The needles associated with the counterfeit Ozempic are also fraudulent and should not be used.  If your Ozempic is impacted, please stop using the counterfeit Ozempic and needles and notify the Calibrate Medical Team right away via the App. Also, importantly, if your Ozempic does not have this lot and serial number, it is authentic Ozempic and there is no concern about continuing to take it.

Thus far, there have been just five reports of adverse reactions related to the counterfeit Ozempic and no information has been released as to whether that medication was obtained at a local or online pharmacy. None of these reported reactions have been serious, and they have all been consistent with known side effects of authentic Ozempic, such as nausea, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Investigation and testing by the FDA and the manufacturer of Ozempic (Novo Nordisk) are ongoing, and we are of course monitoring this news so we can keep you informed.

You can review the full FDA announcement here. The announcement includes images to help you identify counterfeit Ozempic and pen needles. Please reach out to the Calibrate Medical Team via the App if you have any questions.

Read FDA Announcement

THE CALIBRATE DIFFERENCE

We’ve helped tens of thousands of members navigate these shortages, and while we can’t promise medication (we’re not a manufacturer, a pharmacy, or supplier), we do promise results: 10% weight loss which we back up with a money back promise that applies whether or not our members have ongoing medication access (and we’re the only program to offer this). 

Calibrate is fundamentally different from prescription-only services. Calibrate members receive comprehensive support throughout their program: you make a commitment to us, and we make a commitment to supporting you in achieving your goals.

WE'RE IN IT TOGETHER

OUR TEAM

The Calibrate Medical and Support Teams

  • When a Calibrate member is impacted by a shortage, the Calibrate Medical Team works with them to determine appropriate next steps. To ensure continuity of care, actions taken may include changing to a dose that is currently in stock, finding clinically appropriate alternative GLP-1 medications, or tapering off altogether (if clinically indicated).
  • In addition, when a shortage occurs, our Benefits Navigation Team explores alternative GLP-1 medication options, and submits paperwork including prior authorizations (PAs) if required by a member’s insurance plan.


Coaching at Calibrate

  • Calibrate accountability coaches do exactly what their title says: they hold you accountable throughout your time on the program. Coaches can help you adjust your goals, work on your relationship with food, navigate challenging situations like travel, social settings, and celebrations, and lean into lifestyle changes to help support your progress whether or not you have access to medication.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Through our years of experience, we know that we can’t promise uninterrupted medication, but we’ve always promised results. 

Calibrate has offered a comprehensive program integrating GLP-1s with behavior change longer than any other program, and have helped our members navigate more than just shortages. Our team has expertise managing insurance coverage of GLP-1s, patient access program modifications, and other access challenges—all the while maintaining continuity of care, and importantly—consistent 16% average weight loss at 12 months and 18% weight loss at 24 months.

And we’re the only program to publish data from all our members to back up our approach and results. To note–our results have been consistent regardless of which medication a member is prescribed, and all medication types are accounted for in this report. Additionally, to be included in this data, a member needs to have had access to medication for only one month.

OUR PROGRAM

Our program is purpose-built to help your body do the same kind of work that GLP-1s do, so the best thing you can do if you’re affected by a shortage is to lean into the program. Read more about how the Calibrate program works here.

SO WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU’RE IMPACTED BY A SHORTAGE?

1. Find an accountability partner

At Calibrate, that’s your coach, who you’re already meeting with 1:1 every other week for the duration of your program. People in your life you make great accountability partners too—make an agreement with your spouse to get to bed half an hour earlier, sign up for an exercise class with a friend, make a commitment with your coworker to take a walk during your lunch break, or swap healthy recipes with a relative–your options are unlimited.

2. Lean on your behavior change tools

Keep up with the lifestyle changes that have helped you advance your progress.

3. Check in with your pharmacy regularly

Your pharmacy can help confirm whether your dose is in stock, transfer your prescription to a pharmacy that does have your medication in stock, and/or place you on a waitlist so you’ll be notified when they receive a new shipment of medication.

4. Recognize that some increased feelings of hunger can come back

This is normal. Focusing on protein and fiber at every meal can help make sure that you also feel full when you are full should help you continue to feel balanced.

MEDICATION SHORTAGE FAQs