The Divided Opinions on Ozempic: Off-Label Drug Use and Public Concerns

Ozempic, a new drug used to tackle obesity, has stirred debate among the public. A recent survey of 3, 420 US adults, conducted between June 13 and 22, 2023, found that opinions are divided when it comes to doctors prescribing these medications for off-label use. Nearly half of the respondents, 46. 3 percent, supported physicians' right to prescribe such drugs for uses beyond their approved indications. However, a significant portion of the public has serious concerns about Ozempic. Over half, 58 percent, expressed worry about potential supply shortages due to off-label prescriptions. Additionally, 63 percent were concerned about the safety of using Ozempic in unapproved ways. The study also discovered that emphasizing safety issues can significantly reduce public support for off-label use, as shown by an embedded survey experiment. This insight highlights that while Ozempic represents a new avenue for fighting obesity, public support could be hindered by safety and supply concerns.