EMA and Novo Nordisk Alert Healthcare Providers: GLP-1 Drug Shortages to Extend into Next Year

Source: Cailian Press

"The Manufacturer of the 'Weight Loss Wonder Drug'"Novo NordiskIt is expected that Europe will continue to experience shortages of Ozempic and Victoza next year, as demand for these drugs has surged in the region.

On Tuesday local time (November 21), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said in a letter published on its website that following discussions with Novo Nordisk, it was found that the shortage of the two drugs would become more severe as the end of this year approaches.

Novo Nordisk stated in the letter that, in order to ensure the supply of Ozempic, the company has decided to temporarily reduce the supply of Victoza. This has resulted in intermittent shortages of Ozempic potentially continuing until 2024, while the shortage of Victoza will last at least until the second quarter of next year.

It is reported that NovoNorm is Novo Nordisk's first-generation GLP-1RA - Liraglutide Injection, used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, which entered the Chinese market in 2011. And Ozempic - Semaglutide Injection is also used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it is often used for weight loss in Europe.

A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk stated that the letter was agreed upon with the EMA to ensure that doctors are fully informed. The letter mentioned that the increase in demand for the drug, coupled with production limitations, has led to the shortage. The company emphasized that the quality and safety of the drug are not the reasons for the shortage.

Novo Nordisk suggested in the letter that new patients should not start using Victoza at least until the second quarter of 2024, with supply being prioritized for existing patients. The company has also restricted the supply of the 0.25 mg dose of Ozempic and advised doctors to limit the number of new patients starting the medication until supply becomes more sufficient in the first quarter of next year.

Cailian Social previously mentioned that Belgium issued a decree last week stipulating that only some patients with type 2 diabetes can use GLP-1 drugs such as Novo Nordisk's Ozempic. For the same reason, the UK has also imposed similar restrictions on the use of Ozempic for non-type 2 diabetes patients. Additionally, Germany is considering an export ban on Ozempic.

Not only in the EU, but this shortage has also appeared in the U.S. market. Since March 2022, semaglutide has been listed on the drug shortage list published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and it has not been removed from the list to this day.

Editor: Li Tong