register

News & Trends - Pharmaceuticals

Limited supply of Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drug to commence in Australia

Health Industry Hub | February 22, 2023 |

Pharma News: From late this week, limited supplies of Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drug will be distributed in Australia.

The long-term stock issues relating to Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic (semaglutide) resulted from off-label use in chronic weight management and impacted the supply of Eli Lilly’s Trulicity (dulaglutide).

The Department of Health and Aged Care has asked wholesalers supplying pharmacies to apply purchasing limits to ensure a more even distribution of the Ozempic stock. The Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) has also asked wholesalers to prioritise filling pharmacy orders in rural and remote areas during the first few weeks to assist supply in those areas, noting patients in these areas have fewer choices of pharmacy at which to fill their prescriptions.

Initial supplies of Ozempic will not be enough to meet demand from all patients with current valid prescriptions for type 2 diabetes nor for those taking it off-label for other conditions.

In the current situation, the regulator has strongly recommended that health professionals allocate supplies to patients using Ozempic for registered indications, particularly those who have not been switched by their doctor to other glucose-lowering medicines.

The TGA has urged prescribers treating patients with obesity should continue to consider alternatives to semaglutide because supply will remain unstable for some time.

Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) was included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) on 1 September 2022, for chronic weight management as an adjunct to a reduced-energy diet and increased physical activity. Novo Nordisk is yet to supply Wegovy in Australia. No anti-obesity medications are currently subsidised through the PBS.

In the case of Ozempic, prescribers have been asked to avoid initiating new patients until supply stabilises and should continue to prioritise supply of Ozempic for people with type 2 diabetes who are current or previous users and for whom other medicines are not suitable. Patients may need to restart treatment with a prescription for Ozempic 0.25/0.5 mg 1.34 mg/mL pre-filled pen to minimise risk of gastrointestinal side effects. 

Reimagining healthcare across the entire patient journey: Health Industry HubTM is the only one-stop-hub bringing the diversity of Pharma, MedTech, Diagnostics & Biotech sectors together to inspire meaningful change in healthcare.

The content on Health Industry Hub is copyright protected and can only be accessed under individual user licenses. To subscribe, please click here and visit T&Cs here.


Digital & Innovation

Liverpool Hospital partners with Microsoft in cardiology care

Health Industry Hub | December 8, 2023 |

Digital & Innovation: Liverpool Hospital and tech giant Microsoft have joined forces in a collaboration aimed at enhancing the way […]

More


News & Trends - MedTech & Diagnostics

Sydney cancer centre welcomes new medical technology ahead of grand opening

Sydney cancer centre welcomes new medical technology ahead of grand opening

Health Industry Hub | December 8, 2023 |

MedTech & Diagnostics News: A $52 million integrated cancer treatment facility in Campbelltown, located in south-western Sydney, is swiftly advancing […]

More


News & Trends - Pharmaceuticals

Largest pharmacy retailer ASX debut via wholesaler takeover sparks industry concerns - Chemist Warehouse, Sigma Healthcare

Largest pharmacy retailer ASX debut via wholesaler takeover sparks industry concerns

Health Industry Hub | December 8, 2023 |

Pharma News: Australia’s largest pharmacy retailer is gearing up for a significant move as it eyes a listing on the […]

More


News & Trends - Pharmaceuticals

Eli Lilly's rheumatoid arthritis medicine to slow progression of type 1 diabetes, say Aussie researchers

Eli Lilly’s rheumatoid arthritis medicine to slow progression of type 1 diabetes, say Aussie researchers

Health Industry Hub | December 8, 2023 |

Pharma News: Australian researchers have shown that a commonly prescribed rheumatoid arthritis medicine can stop the progression of type 1 […]

More


This content is copyright protected. Please subscribe to gain access.