Shortage in diabetes medicine blamed on social media promotion

Pharma News: An unexpected surge in people using a diabetes medication for off label use has caused a nation-wide shortage.

Clinicians have been asked to prioritise prescriptions for Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic (semaglutide) for people with diabetes, due to a medicine shortage caused by TikTok users promoting it as weight loss treatment.

Novo Nordisk initially advised the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of the shortage and planned to import the overseas-registered products in the short term. However, global supply chain issues have meant delays to the delivery of the medication.

The TGA has issued a joint statement with several medical bodies, including Australian Medical Association (AMA), Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Australian Diabetes Society (ADS) and Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

“The increased demand is due to extensive prescribing for obesity management, for which Ozempic is not indicated. The shortage is significantly affecting people using Ozempic for its approved use for type 2 diabetes,” the statement read.

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TikTok users have been documenting their weight loss using the hashtag #ozempic, #ozempicjourney and #ozempicaustralia.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president, Dr Karen Price, warned there were side effects to using Ozempic to manage weight loss – such as nausea and vomiting – as well as contraindications if pregnant or breastfeeding.

“There are lots of issues people need to be aware of but most importantly, it’s not yet approved in Australia or the UK for weight loss. It’s being used off-label, which means that this huge demand is now stopping people who have a genuine need for the medication for their diabetes. Most people can see the ethical dilemma there,” she said.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s Victoria president, Anthony Tassone, confirmed supplies of Ozempic could remain low for weeks.

“Pharmacists are doing everything they can to help patients by placing it on backorder or seeking it from other pharmacies, but [they] may need to refer patients back to the doctor for an alternative in the meantime,” he said.