The national medicines regulator has introduced restrictions on the prescription of diabetes drug Ozempic to tackle an international shortage.
Denmark’s Novo Nordisk has told the Medicines Agency that supply of the drug will be restricted for the remainder of 2023 and into 2024 following a recent increase in demand for the lower-dose (0.25/0.5 mg) version. reported.
This shortage is related to the social media trend of people using it as a weight loss tool.
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The TGA blamed the shortage on “off-label prescribing” – drugs recommended for use outside of their approved uses in Australia.
“Manufacturing Ozempic involves a complex process in which semaglutide is produced using specialized equipment in a unique manufacturing environment.” Advice on the TGA website.
“Novo Nordisk has advised that new supplies of Ozempic 0.25/0.5 mg will be very limited until the end of 2023 and that supplies of all Ozempic ingredients will be provided intermittently throughout 2024,” the TGA said. Ta.
The Medicines Agency said it had introduced a number of restrictions on the prescribing of Ozempic to tackle supply shortages, recommending that doctors only prescribe Ozempic to new patients if there are no other alternatives. Ta.
Doctors are also recommending that patients already using the drug switch to an alternative drug, as continuous supply cannot be guaranteed.
The TGA said the supply of Ozempic “is stable at Ozempic and should be conserved for patients who have no other treatment options.”
Patients currently using Ozempic for type 2 diabetes are encouraged to check with their local pharmacy for availability.
Pharmacists are advised to continue prioritizing the limited supply of Ozempic to patients whose treatment is stable.
