Novo Nordisk Shifts Production Focus from Liraglutide to Semaglutide Amid Surging GLP-1 Demand

Recently, according to Fierce Pharma, due to the overall increased demand for GLP-1 products and capacity limitations at production sites, Novo Nordisk has decided to adopt a new strategy—reducing the production of Victoza (liraglutide) to manufacture more Ozempic (semaglutide).

Novo Nordisk and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) disclosed this measure in a letter to healthcare professionals, warning that the shortages of these two drugs will worsen during 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 existing supplies should only be used to continue treatment for patients currently being treated.

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 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.

Notably, due to a shortage of medications for diabetes patients, Belgium has already banned the use of Ozempic for weight loss, and Germany is considering similar actions.

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