Diabetes drug used for weight loss in scarce supply

A drug designed to treat diabetes which has been repurposed as a diet aid was highlighted at the latest Regional Health Forum West meeting by Independent Councillor Felim Gurn.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) recently said that the shortage of the drug is social media-driven and while it is approved by the HSE and other international health bodies only as treatment for Type II diabetes only, the hashtag #Ozempic now has over one billion views on Tiktok, driving up demand worldwide.

HPRA director of compliance Grainne Power recently said that the demand-led shortage is “a European issue and internationally. It’s not specific to us.”

“Really until the company can address this with an adequate supply of semaglutide to meet the demand, the situation will continue.”

“And then this position has been further communicated through the shortage framework to healthcare professionals to make sure that everybody along the supply chain is aware of the very tight situation we are in,” she said

In November, the HSE wrote to GPs advising them against prescribing this to patients who do not have diabetes.

Cllr Gurn asked if the HSE had an alternative drug that has been approved and is available for the North west region.

 Tony Canavan, CEO, Saolta University Health Care Group said: “There is particular pressure on the supply chain for Semaglutide as demand for this drug has increased due to its use in addressing obesity.”

Mr Canavan advised that controls are in place within the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) scheme management systems (and are put in place and updated as required) on claiming processes to ensure that only HSE approved indications are reimbursed across a range of medicines.

Manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, has notified the HPRA of intermittent supply issues with Ozempic products, due to a global increased demand and the company anticipates that intermittent supply will continue into 2023. Novo Nordisk has implemented monthly allocations to help ensure continuity of supply and equitable distribution of Ozempic stock to Irish patients. 

Furthermore, independent regulators, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) and Medical Council have communicated advice to pharmacists and doctors recently (May 19 2023) which is intended to conserve supplies of Ozempic for diabetic patients.

Cllr Gurn was advised that a similar product, Wegovy, which is also made by Novo Nordisk, is not currently available in Ireland but the "HSE expects that as and when the applicant company, Novo Nordisk decides to launch Wegovy (semaglutide) in Ireland it will progress an application for pricing and reimbursement under Community Drug Schemes."