Ozempic will be out of stock until the end of 2023, says manufacturer – 06/12/2023 – Balance

Ozempic is expected to remain in short supply until the end of 2023, with “intermittent availability”, according to pharmaceutical manufacturer, Novo Nordisk. Shortages occur due to high demand.

“As a responsible supplier and always concerned about the health and safety of its patients, Novo Nordisk announces that all presentations of Ozempic (0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1mg) in Brazil will face intermittent availability during 2023 due to demand greater than foreseen”, stated the company in a note to the Sheet.

The risk of supply problems, however, has been observed since February, when Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) was notified. The expectation was that the supply would be normalized in this second quarter.

At the time, the Sheet questioned Novo Nordisk if the lack of the drug would be related to its use for weight loss. The pharmacist replied that “it is not possible to trace the purpose of use of the product by the patient”.

Months later, the manufacturer notified users registered in its support program about the lack of the drug in the 1 mg version. At the time, the company also stated that the shortage was due to high demand. “We regret to inform you that Ozempic 1mg may be out of stock in pharmacies,” the text message stated.

While until April the problem only affected the 1 mg version, Novo Nordisk now claims that the shortage also occurs with the 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg doses.

The drug became popular after testimonials indicated significant weight loss in a short time. The lines were mainly made by celebrities and flooded social networks. The drug is approved by Anvisa for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it is used off-label, that is, for purposes other than those indicated on the package insert, for weight loss.

The pharmaceutical advises that patients use the medicine only for the treatment of the disease caused by the lack or malabsorption of insulin by the body.

For those who may have their treatment against diabetes hampered by the shortage of the product in pharmacies, the manufacturer recommends the adoption of alternative measures such as the use of drugs of the same class —they are called GLP-1 analogues. In that case, it’s important to talk to the doctor in order to get proper guidance.