Callum Jones
An expert has issued a warning to anyone planning on traveling this summer while taking drugs such as Ozempic or Mounjaro.
While Ozempic is a drug intended for people with type two diabetes to help them manage their blood sugar levels, it has become popular in recent years among those hoping to shed a few pounds.
As the brand name for a medicine called semaglutide, the drug was approved in 2017 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help diabetics, but some have been using it purely for weight loss as it suppresses appetite.
It's worth noting the drug is not approved by the FDA for weight loss purposes, unlike Mounjaro.
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Mounjaro is another one of the many drugs that work to lower blood sugar levels to treat diabetic people, though people hoping to lose weight can also take advantage of the drug as it's been approved as a weight loss treatment.
It's estimated 15 million people in the US are on some form of jab they're using for weight loss, with Ozempic and Mounjaro among the most popular.
And for those traveling in the coming months and using these drugs, travel insurance providers have issued a warning.
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Such insurance is hugely recommended for those traveling overseas, and millions of Americans are being warned they could face huge medical bills abroad if they don't declare they are taking Ozempic, Mounjaro, or other weight-loss related drug.
As per the Times and Star, Niraj Mamtora, director at Forum Insurance, said: "Weight-loss medications like Ozempic are transforming lives across the UK, but too many travellers don’t realise the insurance implications. If you’re using these drugs, you must declare both the medication and the condition it’s prescribed for.
“Failure to do so is not a minor oversight - it’s a serious breach of your travel insurance contract. If you need medical help overseas and haven’t declared your medication, your claim can be refused and your policy cancelled. The financial consequences can be severe.”
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Mamtora added: "Non-disclosure is a gamble that’s simply not worth taking. If you don’t declare your medication or the underlying condition, your insurer is within their rights to refuse any claim, even if it seems unrelated.
"Many travellers only discover too late that their travel insurance claims are rejected, leaving them without support and facing potentially huge bills.
"With the average medical claim abroad now exceeding $2,300, and costs rising significantly with age, being properly covered is more important than ever."