Ozempic shortage extended

Australia’s supply of Ozempic will remain limited until the end of next year as global demand for the medication shows no sign of slowing down.
 
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced on Wednesday that the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, confirmed availability will continue to be limited until 31 December 2025.
 
It says this is due to the ‘unexpected increase in consumer demand’.
 
‘Novo Nordisk advised that they are continuing to increase manufacturing capacity, but it would take time to build supply levels to meet global and local demand,’ it said.
 
The shortages were previously expected to last in Australia until December 2024 according to Novo Nordisk, citing ‘unprecedented demand’ globally.
 
‘We are working hard to satisfy demand to the greatest extent possible,’ it said.
 
‘Novo Nordisk continues to expand its global manufacturing capacity to meet the strong demand for Ozempic (semaglutide) for now and into the future.
 
‘Our global manufacturing facilities are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.’
 
The TGA has now updated its advice for healthcare professionals to consider the ongoing shortage when prescribing Ozempic.
 
It is encouraging GPs to inform patients that supply is expected to be limited for another year, and discuss alternative treatments when patients are unable to access the medicine
 
The TGA has also urged clinicians to only ‘prescribe and supply both Ozempic and Wegovy according to their approved indications’.
 
Dr Gary Deed, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Diabetes, labelled the announcement ‘hugely disappointing’, and said the situation is becoming increasingly difficult for GPs to manage.
 
‘It’s an ongoing disappointment that we can’t secure what is significant medication choice for some people living with diabetes,’ he told newsGP.
 
‘It affects patient outcomes but also clinical outcomes, and for GPs it’s very stressful.
 
‘It’s often a deliberate choice between the GP and the patient, it’s not something that’s used without consideration and you’ve made a choice because it’s probably the best outcome for people living with diabetes – then you have these other roadblocks which interfere.’
 
Shortages of Ozempic began in 2022 following its popularity as a weight-loss medication, despite the semaglutide product being approved for the management of type 2 diabetes.
 
A new brand of semaglutide, Wegovy, became available in Australia in August this year, approved specifically for chronic weight management.
 
Additionally, tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro) was made available to eligible patients as a treatment for overweight and obesity in September.
 
Amid this skyrocketing patient demand, the TGA’s ongoing advice to GPs remains to not initiate new patients on Ozempic unless there are no suitable alternatives available.
 
‘When deciding whether to continue treatment consult the appropriate prescribing guidelines,’ it said.
 
‘Prioritise patients for whom Ozempic will have the most clinical impact, including patients already stabilised on the medicine and without other treatment options.’
 
But Dr Deed is now calling for increased intervention to address Australia’s medication shortages.
 
‘Shortages are occurring across multiple chronic disease areas and it’s making general practice more complex, it’s making patients’ quality of life deteriorate,’ he said.
 
‘When there are things that are evidence-based and appropriate for a person, but you can’t actually get access to it when they’ve had previous access … it’s a continuous frustration.’
 
Log in below to join the conversation.

Mounjaro Ozempic semaglutide TGA Therapeutic Goods Administration tirzepatide Wegovy