Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th May 2023.

19th May, 2023.

Yes: you know it, and I know it … 

I’m diabetic.

And constantly worry about my feet, so you know.

There’s always that worry about amputation.

At any rate?

I was up at my pharmacists, yesterday.

And … ?

Whilst they had most of my medications, they didn’t have one.

The high dosage Ozempic that’s been very helpful in controlling my blood sugar levels.

Their suppliers were out of stock.

I got the same story at the three other chemists I visited.

And the one chemist — near to where my family lives — on Ongar Road: I phoned them.

The last place I tried — right at the top of Warley Hill — had one pen left: but only of the smaller, 0·5mg, dose.

They — in collaboration with my surgery — have ordered another: so I can make up the supply to the needed dose.

And I’ve talked to my surgery’s diabetic nurse: to put alternatives in place*.

But … ?

That’s one hell of a situation.

~≈😷≈~

I can tell what you’re asking, though.

At least I think I can.

You’re wondering why there’s a shortage.

Ozempic’s a bit like Viagra.

The latter started out as a blood pressure medication: but its famous OTHER effect … sent off-label/non-prescription demand, and prices†, through the roof!

Ozempic, by contrast?   Is very good at lowering blood sugar levels.

But also has a reputation for helping users lose weight.

Which is debatable, in my case: but I could be wrong.

At any rate?

That’s what’s causing the shortages: celebrities are buying it — celebrities who don’t look fat, to me — to lose weight: when a long healthy walk could be far more appropriate.

That means there’s less Ozempic for those of us that do need it.

None of the chemists told me why the stockists were short.

Bar the one in Ongar Road: who told me the manufacturers were having some sort of manufacturing issues.

They didn’t get more specific than that.

‘Manufacturing issues’ … ?

Could mean anything.

Under current circumstances, I suspect ‘Manufacturing issues’ means the company can’t make it fast enough.

~≈😷≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga‡, Mum§ and Debbi¶ putting in their answers: with everyone scoring five out of five.



Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video.

Q1)        Protestors threw purple flour at the then British Prime Minister on 19th May, 2004.   Which British Prime Minister: Tony Blair, Gordon Brown or David Cameron?

Q2)        NASA launched the STS 77 shuttle mission: on 19th May, 1996.   The mission was on which shuttle?

Q3)        19th May, 1943, saw who make an address to the US Congress: Winston Churchill, Neville Chamberlain or Joseph Stalin?

Q4)        Singer, Grace Jones, was born on 19th May, 1948.   Where: Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica or Barbados?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Pete Townsend of the Who was born on 19th May, 1945.   He’s best remembered as the Who’s what: guitarist, bassist or drummer?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        18th May, 1900, saw the UK declare a Polynesian nation as a protectorate.   Which Polynesian nation: Tonga, Fiji or New Zealand?

A1)        Tonga.

Q2)        18th May, 1944, saw the USSR start deporting the Tatar people.   From where: Crimea, Bukovina or Azerbaijan?

A2)        Crimea.

Q3)        18th May, 1944, saw the end of the Battle of Monte Cassino.   Monte Cassino is where: Germany, Japan or Italy?

A3)        Italy.

Q4)        18th May, 1994, saw Israeli troops withdrawing from where: East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip or the West Bank?

A4)        The Gaza Strip.

Q5)        Finally … ?   18th May is the feast day of Eric 9th of where: Sweden, Denmark or Finland?

A5)        Sweden.

Here’s a thought …

“I never thought I was going to be a singer.   That was an accident.”

Grace Jones, born 19th May, 1948.

And a song …

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        The alternative is an injectable drug call Victoza: also known as Saxenda.

†        From what I can see?   Ozempic can be legally purchased for off-prescription use from chemists, both online and off.   A quick Googling says the off-prescription price is anywhere between £179 and £249.   By contrast, it costs £9·65, on prescription.   Some bˆgger’s getting rich!

‡        By the sound of it, Olga?   It sounds like form filling’s the same, everywhere: there’s a hell of a lot more game playing in these things that we realise!   At any rate?   I know an old friends been helpful: as he’s passed on some tips.   And I’ve managed to email that link to a neighbour, who’s going through the same process.

§        Hello, Mum!

¶        Well done, Debbi!   I hope you’ve got a safe place to store them all!

        Oh, that’s a thought.   I heard this item on the Today programme: and immediately thought of you.   I don’t know if it’s relevant, though: apparently, it depends on the type of incident a patient’s suffered.