1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:04,200 Speaker 1: Just a quick heads up. Today's episode discusses distressing themes, 2 00:00:04,240 --> 00:00:08,360 Speaker 1: including suicide. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:11,119 Speaker 1: you know need support. Help is available twenty four to 4 00:00:11,119 --> 00:00:17,080 Speaker 1: seven through Lifeline on thirteen eleven fourteen. Already and this 5 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:19,720 Speaker 1: this is the Daily Art. This is the Daily OS. 6 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:21,440 Speaker 1: Oh now it makes sense. 7 00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:32,400 Speaker 2: Good morning and welcome to the Daily OS. It's Wednesday, 8 00:00:32,440 --> 00:00:36,159 Speaker 2: the third of December. I'm Emma Gillespie, I'm Billy Fitzsimon's. 9 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:40,760 Speaker 2: Australia's Medicines Regulator has issued a safety alert for ozempic 10 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 2: and similar drugs over a potential risk of suicidal thoughts. 11 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:48,920 Speaker 2: The updated warning follows a spike in reports of suicidal 12 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 2: ideation linked to weight loss medications to the Therapeutic Goods 13 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 2: Administration the TGA. Today, we are going to explore what 14 00:00:57,200 --> 00:00:59,960 Speaker 2: led to this moment and what it means for patients 15 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:02,480 Speaker 2: and everything else that you need to know in between. 16 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:10,679 Speaker 1: And when this came out on Monday, I believe it was. 17 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:14,720 Speaker 1: It was so interesting and I immediately thought of you 18 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:17,760 Speaker 1: because you have spent most of this year looking into 19 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 1: weight loss medication, looking into ozen pic. I'm sure many 20 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 1: of the people listening to this episode have probably listened 21 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 1: to your investigation into ozen pic. Yeah, if you haven't, 22 00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:31,960 Speaker 1: we will link it in the show notes. But before 23 00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:34,800 Speaker 1: we get into what the announcement on Monday from the 24 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 1: TGA was, do you want to just kind of give 25 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 1: us the lay of the land about what I know, 26 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: I'm referencing just ozen pic, but I know it's much 27 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:44,960 Speaker 1: broader than that. How long it's been around all of 28 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 1: those kinds of details. 29 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, of course. So ozen Pic, as you mentioned, is 30 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 2: the big one. It was first approved by health authorities 31 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:55,680 Speaker 2: here in Australia as a medication to treat type two 32 00:01:55,720 --> 00:02:00,600 Speaker 2: diabetes in twenty eighteen. Now, Ozempic is a brand name 33 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 2: for a drug otherwise known as semaglue tide and that 34 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 2: falls into this family of drugs called glp ones. So 35 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 2: you'll often hear these drugs described as glp ones or 36 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 2: as ozenpic as kind of a captural phrase. But they 37 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:17,080 Speaker 2: are taken as an injection, usually once a week, and 38 00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:21,440 Speaker 2: they start working almost immediately within hours in some cases. 39 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 2: Ozenpic is the name that gets talked about so much 40 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:27,800 Speaker 2: in the media, but there are now some very popular alternatives. 41 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 2: We go vi, Munjaro, Saxender that you might have heard of, 42 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 2: and they all work in the same way. So glp 43 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:38,079 Speaker 2: ones act on hormones in our body, and for patients 44 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:41,560 Speaker 2: with diabetes, they make sure that their cells work better 45 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:46,519 Speaker 2: with insulin. But also, and importantly, these drugs slow down 46 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:50,400 Speaker 2: what's called gastric emptying, so in other words, you feel 47 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:54,079 Speaker 2: fuller faster. That is the side effect that has meant 48 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 2: these drugs have become increasingly popular for weight loss. And 49 00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 2: you know, we've seen the kind of global surge, They've 50 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:06,160 Speaker 2: become viral, the kind of butt of celebrity jokes almost, 51 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:08,920 Speaker 2: and that's pretty much the lay of the land. In 52 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:10,919 Speaker 2: as short of as summary as I can give you 53 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:12,480 Speaker 2: on the world of glp. 54 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 1: Ones, I'm interested in how popular they have become because 55 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:17,960 Speaker 1: I think, you know, if we go back three years 56 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:20,119 Speaker 1: when I feel like we were all kind of first 57 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:23,160 Speaker 1: hearing about it, maybe not even three years ago, maybe 58 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 1: two years ago, it felt like something that I mean, 59 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 1: I didn't know anyone who was on it. And now 60 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:32,520 Speaker 1: just anecdotally, I think that I hear of a lot 61 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 1: more people who don't have type two diabetes who are 62 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 1: on it. It does feel a lot more common. Do 63 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 1: we know exactly how popular they are? 64 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, they have really shifted into the mainstream. I think 65 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 2: four or five years ago we heard about ozepic. Is 66 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 2: this kind of celebrity joke or you'd hear about celebrities 67 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 2: being quote unquote on it, But it wasn't really in 68 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 2: our backyard or in our faces and in our world. 69 00:03:56,320 --> 00:03:59,840 Speaker 2: But that has shifted in recent years. So Ozepic is 70 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 2: a PBS listed drug four type two diabetes treatment, meaning 71 00:04:04,240 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 2: if that's why you take it, it's subsidized by the government, 72 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 2: costs about forty bucks a month and PBS scripts are tracked, 73 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 2: but GLP one prescriptions for any use other than type 74 00:04:16,080 --> 00:04:19,719 Speaker 2: two diabetes treatment aren't tracked. So if you are taking 75 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:22,880 Speaker 2: glp ones for weight loss you don't have diabetes, that's 76 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:25,680 Speaker 2: a private prescription. We have no way of knowing how 77 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:29,360 Speaker 2: many people are doing that. It's virtually impossible to determine 78 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:32,960 Speaker 2: the scale of GLP one use. It also means that 79 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:35,640 Speaker 2: most people who use them are spending up to four 80 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:38,800 Speaker 2: hundred dollars a month to access them because they're not subsidized. 81 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 2: Now globally, we know there has been a surging demand 82 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:46,720 Speaker 2: for these drugs it's created shortages, supply chain issues, and 83 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:51,280 Speaker 2: that demand has also made pharmaceutical companies very rich. Just 84 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 2: a few weeks ago, Eli Lilly, that is the manufacturer 85 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 2: of Munjaro, became the first drug maker to reach evaluation 86 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:01,800 Speaker 2: of a trillion US dollars. It's about one and a 87 00:05:01,839 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 2: half trillion Aussie dollars. 88 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:05,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, I saw that, and I think it does speak 89 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:09,480 Speaker 1: to just how popular this is becoming for private use. 90 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:12,599 Speaker 1: I want to talk a bit more about side effects, 91 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 1: because that is what the TGA talked about in their 92 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:16,520 Speaker 1: announcement on Monday. 93 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:16,840 Speaker 2: Yeah. 94 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 1: Before we get to that specific announcement, though, what are 95 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:22,560 Speaker 1: the common side effects that we know other than weight loss? 96 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:25,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, So while we don't know how many prescriptions of 97 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 2: GLP ones are issued in Australia, we do know the 98 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 2: kinds of negative side effects that are being reported. And 99 00:05:32,440 --> 00:05:36,120 Speaker 2: that's because GPS and healthcare providers can report adverse side 100 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:39,719 Speaker 2: effects relating to GLP ones to the TGA. So there's 101 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:44,200 Speaker 2: this Adverse Event Notifications database that those reports are listed 102 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 2: on that anyone can publicly see. Now. Between July twenty 103 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:52,239 Speaker 2: twenty three and July twenty twenty five, the database shows 104 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 2: that gastro Intestinal disorders were the most frequently reported side 105 00:05:56,640 --> 00:06:04,320 Speaker 2: effects associated with semaglue tides, so that include odes, nausea, vomiting, cramping, constipation, pancreatitis. 106 00:06:04,640 --> 00:06:08,000 Speaker 2: Those complaints make up around half of all negative side 107 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 2: effects on the database relating to these drugs. But another 108 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:16,800 Speaker 2: really concerning one that has emerged is suicidal ideation, so 109 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:20,800 Speaker 2: that makes up one in every twenty adverse GLP one 110 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:24,960 Speaker 2: reactions reported to this database. In the two years to 111 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:28,479 Speaker 2: July twenty twenty five, there were seven deaths linked to 112 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:33,680 Speaker 2: psychiatric disorders and GOLP ones. Ozenpic was the only product 113 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:37,840 Speaker 2: suspected to be related to two deaths by suicide in 114 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:42,040 Speaker 2: that period. But the TGA does note that it uses 115 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:46,159 Speaker 2: these reports to identify when a safety issue may be present. 116 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 2: It says, assessing the safety of a medicine quote cannot 117 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 2: be made using the tracker alone. 118 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 1: Right, And I remember from your investigation into Ozenpic that 119 00:06:55,920 --> 00:07:00,600 Speaker 1: you actually spoke to someone who had experienced suicidal adiation 120 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:04,040 Speaker 1: whilst on ozeen Pic. What can you tell us about 121 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:05,200 Speaker 1: that conversation. 122 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 2: Yeah. I interviewed Mackenzie earlier this year. She is a 123 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 2: twenty six year old who sought out ozen Pick for 124 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 2: weight management through Juniper. Now. Juniper is one of a 125 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 2: growing number of online platforms that prescribed weight loss medications 126 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:23,760 Speaker 2: without requiring in person consults. You've probably seen their ads 127 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:26,160 Speaker 2: or heard from them in some way on your social 128 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 2: media feed. They are a massive company, and Mackenzie disclosed 129 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 2: to them that she had been taking antidepressants since her 130 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:37,080 Speaker 2: early teens, so she had a history of depression. But 131 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:41,240 Speaker 2: she was approved to use Ozeenpick by Juniper. Here is 132 00:07:41,320 --> 00:07:43,080 Speaker 2: a little bit about her story. 133 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:46,000 Speaker 3: So I guess for me, I kind of had peace 134 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 3: of mind that it would cover everything that was in 135 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 3: my medical history. So I started receiving that in the 136 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:55,560 Speaker 3: mail and injecting that as per kind of the recommended gidelines. I, 137 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:58,000 Speaker 3: for no reason whatsoever, and I hadn't felt like this 138 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:01,920 Speaker 3: for a very long time, became unable to work. It 139 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:05,440 Speaker 3: was really quite unexplained. I was really really concerned, and 140 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 3: I chatted with my partner about it, and he was like, well, 141 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 3: the only thing that has changed in your life is 142 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:13,640 Speaker 3: you going on this particular medication. So Mackenzie has a 143 00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 3: long term history of depression which was being managed by 144 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:22,000 Speaker 3: her antidepressants, but then she started on ozen pic and 145 00:08:22,040 --> 00:08:27,120 Speaker 3: then began experiencing suicidal ideations essentially out of nowhere. 146 00:08:27,320 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, exactly, And so she expressed her concerns to her 147 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 2: regular GP, so not who she was prescribed the golp 148 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 2: one through, and he told her that he'd actually seen 149 00:08:37,559 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 2: this in a number of patients. His explanation was that 150 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:45,240 Speaker 2: golp ones slow the digestive system and as a result, 151 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:48,120 Speaker 2: they can have a negative effect on the absorption of 152 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:51,560 Speaker 2: other drugs. So if you're taking other medications whilst you're 153 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 2: injecting ozepic, maybe it will influence how your body absorbs 154 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 2: those other meds. 155 00:08:56,880 --> 00:09:01,520 Speaker 1: So ozempic potentially stopped her body from absorbing the antidepressants 156 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:04,079 Speaker 1: that she had been on for the past decade. 157 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:04,439 Speaker 3: Yep. 158 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 2: That is basically what her doctor explained, and so Mackenzie 159 00:09:08,240 --> 00:09:10,800 Speaker 2: ended up being in such a bad place her GP 160 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:14,839 Speaker 2: suggested she go to the hospital stop taking oze pic immediately. 161 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:18,200 Speaker 2: I did ask her about the kind of information that 162 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 2: she was given by Juniper at the time. She said 163 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 2: she thoroughly interrogated all of it, and the resources at 164 00:09:24,559 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 2: that time did not explain anything or flag anything to 165 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 2: do with mental health. So she never held that as 166 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:33,319 Speaker 2: a concern when she started taking. 167 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:37,600 Speaker 1: Oceepic, and did mackenzie speak to Juniper the prescriber about 168 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:38,800 Speaker 1: the suicidal ideation. 169 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:42,320 Speaker 2: So she did tell the provider that her doctor had 170 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:45,600 Speaker 2: advised her to stop taking ozmpic. She explained the side 171 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 2: effects that she had been hospitalized, and the response that 172 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:53,040 Speaker 2: she told me she got was basically, well, that's not 173 00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 2: a listed side effect. It shouldn't affect your antidepressant absorption 174 00:09:57,280 --> 00:10:01,520 Speaker 2: at all. TDA put these can concerns to Juniper earlier 175 00:10:01,559 --> 00:10:05,520 Speaker 2: this year, and they dispute any relationship between these medications 176 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:09,160 Speaker 2: and an increased risk of mental health related side effects. 177 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:13,239 Speaker 2: The clinical director of Juniper, doctor Matt Vickers, cited specific 178 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:16,520 Speaker 2: guidance from the UK Health Regulator, which stated in September 179 00:10:16,520 --> 00:10:19,800 Speaker 2: twenty twenty four that the available data does not support 180 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 2: a causal association between JLP ones and suicidal ideation. Vickers 181 00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:28,600 Speaker 2: also pointed to some data from the US mind you. 182 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 2: This was a preliminary evaluation of an ongoing study by 183 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:35,800 Speaker 2: the Food and Drug Administration, which said last year that 184 00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:40,000 Speaker 2: it didn't find an association or clearly demonstrated relationship between 185 00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:44,640 Speaker 2: GLP ones and the occurrence of suicidal thoughts. However, an 186 00:10:44,679 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 2: analysis of adverse reactions within the World Health Organizations Global 187 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:53,960 Speaker 2: database painted a different picture. Findings from an international study 188 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:59,479 Speaker 2: published in August actually identified a disproportionate link between suicidal 189 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:01,760 Speaker 2: ideation and these medications. 190 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:05,760 Speaker 1: Okay, so what I'm hearing is there was not a 191 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:08,080 Speaker 1: lot of evidence at the time when we were looking 192 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:11,720 Speaker 1: into this about the link between suicidal ideation and taking 193 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:16,599 Speaker 1: GLP ones, saying that the WHO, the Weld Health Organization 194 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:19,199 Speaker 1: did say that there was a possible link. But then 195 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:24,040 Speaker 1: on Monday, the TGA, which is Australia's medical regulator, came 196 00:11:24,080 --> 00:11:27,280 Speaker 1: out and said that this link between GLP ones, which 197 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:32,240 Speaker 1: is ozen pic and suicidal ideation is a bit more clear. 198 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:34,439 Speaker 2: Now, yeah, there has been I suppose a lot of 199 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:39,040 Speaker 2: contradictory information. If you wanted to argue either way, you 200 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:41,840 Speaker 2: could kind of cherry pick some data to reflect that. 201 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 2: But what has been in black and white is that database, 202 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:49,760 Speaker 2: the adverse event database that the TGA publishes, which shows 203 00:11:49,840 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 2: us an increase and frequency in suicidal ideation being reported. 204 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:57,720 Speaker 2: We had that global data from the WHO, and now 205 00:11:57,800 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 2: we have an update from the TG. So on Monday 206 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:05,520 Speaker 2: it released advice on GLP one's warning about the potential 207 00:12:05,640 --> 00:12:09,440 Speaker 2: risk of suicidal thoughts. The regulator said that patients taking 208 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:13,240 Speaker 2: these medications should quote tell their health professional if they 209 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:18,080 Speaker 2: experience new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or any unusual 210 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 2: changes in mood or behavior. 211 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:23,560 Speaker 1: So what does this mean in practical terms for anyone 212 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:26,880 Speaker 1: who is taking it and is now concerned, or if 213 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:29,320 Speaker 1: you know someone who's taking it, yeah, atn't concerned. 214 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 2: The biggest immediate change is that there's going to be 215 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:35,319 Speaker 2: labels now on GLP one, so all GLP one medications 216 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:38,960 Speaker 2: will note the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. But 217 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:42,439 Speaker 2: I also think what is really significant about this announcement 218 00:12:42,559 --> 00:12:45,720 Speaker 2: is it sends a really important message to patients who 219 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:48,480 Speaker 2: have felt ignored to be honest or even gas lit 220 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 2: by the system by prescribers who have kind of downplayed 221 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 2: their experiences. If you are someone taking GLP ones and 222 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 2: you are worried about this, it is a small percentage, 223 00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:01,120 Speaker 2: So I would say, you know, there's no need to 224 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:04,800 Speaker 2: immediately be alarmed if you don't have a history of 225 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:07,679 Speaker 2: mental ill health, or if you are feeling a certain 226 00:13:07,679 --> 00:13:10,320 Speaker 2: way and maybe you have been doubting yourself. I think 227 00:13:10,360 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 2: that this is really affirming to tell patients to, you know, 228 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:17,600 Speaker 2: trust themselves. Now, given this update, this new advice from 229 00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:22,360 Speaker 2: the TGA, I reached out to Juniper again. A statement 230 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:26,680 Speaker 2: from doctor Matt Vickers, their clinical director, said that the 231 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:30,960 Speaker 2: TGA's recent updates to GLP one product warnings reflect the 232 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:35,679 Speaker 2: outcome of a review after what it called isolated reports 233 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:40,800 Speaker 2: of suicidality quote. As with reviews by other global regulators, 234 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:45,080 Speaker 2: no causal link has been found between GLP ones and 235 00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:48,960 Speaker 2: suicidal or self harming behavior. So they said that they 236 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:52,360 Speaker 2: caution patients about the potential risk, and that they have 237 00:13:52,520 --> 00:13:57,120 Speaker 2: done since the service was established. However, that contradicts I 238 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:00,920 Speaker 2: suppose what we have heard from some of them former patients. 239 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:06,040 Speaker 2: And finally, Junipers said, with millions of people now treated 240 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 2: with GLP ones globally quote, the safety profile has continued 241 00:14:11,120 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 2: to strengthen. Interestingly, the TGA also said on Monday that 242 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:18,600 Speaker 2: it couldn't rule out whether Munjarro, one of the popular 243 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:23,200 Speaker 2: GLP ones, reduces the strength of the oral contraceptive pill. 244 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:26,080 Speaker 2: We had heard a little bit about this before from 245 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 2: previous studies from other health bodies, and now the TGA 246 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:34,880 Speaker 2: is advising that patients use non oral contraception for four 247 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 2: weeks when starting munjarro and four weeks after increasing their dosage. 248 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 2: So they're basically saying, give yourself a bit of a 249 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 2: four week window if your intake changes or when you 250 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:48,600 Speaker 2: start the drug to ensure that you're protected. So, for example, 251 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:50,040 Speaker 2: user condom for four weeks. 252 00:14:50,720 --> 00:14:54,320 Speaker 1: Interesting and just quickly before we wrap up, I also 253 00:14:54,360 --> 00:14:58,320 Speaker 1: saw that there was another big announcement from the WHO 254 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:00,400 Speaker 1: this week about GLP ones. 255 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:02,800 Speaker 2: What was that, Yeah, it's been a big week for 256 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:07,800 Speaker 2: GLP ones, Billy. The WHO has released new guidelines on 257 00:15:07,880 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 2: the use of GLP ones for the treatment of obesity 258 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 2: in adults. Now, this is a global framework that acknowledges 259 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:19,800 Speaker 2: a need to treat obesity quote as a chronic, relapsing 260 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 2: disease rather than a lifestyle choice. So just quickly, the 261 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 2: WHO said, while medication alone won't solve this global health crisis, 262 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 2: GLP one therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce 263 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:35,880 Speaker 2: its associated harms as part of a comprehensive approach that 264 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 2: includes healthy diets, regular physical activity, and support from health professionals. 265 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:45,560 Speaker 2: Now it's significant because this is a global Health body 266 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:50,600 Speaker 2: basically endorsing or recommending GLP ones as an obesity treatment 267 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:55,160 Speaker 2: and also formally recognizing obesity as a chronic disease associated 268 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:57,920 Speaker 2: with high numbers of deaths a high economic burden on 269 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:01,200 Speaker 2: health systems. Now, look, it does solve the issue of 270 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:05,640 Speaker 2: suicidal ideation, of long term side effects and concern around 271 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 2: mental health impacts. But if there is a global health 272 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:12,800 Speaker 2: body saying we need to take this treatment really seriously, 273 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 2: saying that it is critical to solving the obesity crisis, 274 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:18,200 Speaker 2: I think that means we will see a lot more 275 00:16:18,240 --> 00:16:22,600 Speaker 2: investment in understanding these side effects. So with more attention 276 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 2: will mean more funding, more research, more transparency, and hopefully 277 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:31,560 Speaker 2: that will give patients a clearer sense of side effects 278 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:35,280 Speaker 2: and some more answers around the suicidal ideation piece. 279 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:37,960 Speaker 1: I mean, you said before that these medications have really 280 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:40,920 Speaker 1: only been around since twenty eighteen, So the fact that 281 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:44,600 Speaker 1: it is constantly changing and there is still new research 282 00:16:44,680 --> 00:16:47,440 Speaker 1: still coming out about it, it does make sense given 283 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 1: how new it is. 284 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:51,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, exactly, and we will continue to learn more as 285 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:54,800 Speaker 2: time passes, and you know, as the global conversation continues. 286 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:57,400 Speaker 1: Thank you for taking us through it, M and for 287 00:16:57,520 --> 00:16:59,240 Speaker 1: all of the work that you've done this year on 288 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:02,680 Speaker 1: looking into it. What a timely announcement from the TGA. 289 00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:05,320 Speaker 1: Thank you so much, Billy, and thank you so much 290 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:08,639 Speaker 1: for listening to this episode of The Daily Os. If 291 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 1: you've got a personal story about GLP ones that you 292 00:17:12,080 --> 00:17:14,040 Speaker 1: want to share with us, we would love to hear 293 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:17,240 Speaker 1: from you. You can dm us on Instagram at any 294 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:22,040 Speaker 1: time or send an email to helloatthdalilyos dot com dot au. 295 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:24,920 Speaker 1: And just a reminder that if this episode has raised 296 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:27,919 Speaker 1: any issues for you, you can contact the lifeline on 297 00:17:28,040 --> 00:17:31,400 Speaker 1: thirteen eleven fourteen. We'll be back this afternoon with your 298 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:37,879 Speaker 1: evening headlines, but until then, have a great day. 299 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:40,400 Speaker 3: My name is Lily Maddon and I'm a proud Aarunda 300 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:43,760 Speaker 3: Bungelung Caalcutin woman from Gadigol Country. 301 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:47,199 Speaker 1: The Daily oz acknowledges that this podcast is recorded on 302 00:17:47,240 --> 00:17:49,720 Speaker 1: the lands of the Gadighol people and pays respect to 303 00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:52,440 Speaker 1: all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island and nations. 304 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:55,680 Speaker 3: We pay our respects to the first peoples of these countries, 305 00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:57,000 Speaker 3: both past and present.