EMA Warns of Worsening Shortages as Novo Nordisk Cuts Liraglutide Output to Boost Semaglutide Production

Nov 27, 2023 19:00 CST Updated 19:01

Novo Nordisk

Insulin Developer and Manufacturer

Recently, Novo Nordisk revealed that due to the overall increased demand for GLP-1 products and capacity limitations at its production facilities, the company has decided to adopt a new strategy – reducing the production of Victoza (liraglutide) in order to manufacture more Ozempic (semaglutide).

Novo Nordisk and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) disclosed this measure in a letter to healthcare professionals, warning that shortages of the two drugs will intensify throughout the remainder of the fourth quarter.

The shortage of Victoza is expected to last until the second quarter of next year. The EMA has instructed medical institutions not to start new patients on the drug until then, and the existing supply should only be used to continue treatment for patients currently receiving it.

The letter stated that the intermittent shortage of Ozempic is expected to continue throughout 2024, although the overall supply situation should improve in the first quarter of next year. Novo Nordisk stated that it will limit the supply of the starting dose of Ozempic (0.25mg) to help curb the use of the drug by new patients. During this period, the EMA also recommended that doctors "restrict" new users.

Editor: Yu Chenglin