Douglas Cliff
Novo Nordisk (NVO) will restrict the provides of starter kits used to manage its diabetes drug Ozempic in Europe as its off-label use for weight problems surges, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing the EU drug regulator and a be aware despatched by the corporate to healthcare professionals.
The Danish drugmaker may even restrict the provision of the 0.25-mg beginning dose of Ozempic to prioritize present sufferers on the remedy. The firm has already used the technique within the U.S., the place the GLP-1 receptor agonist recognized as semaglutide is accredited for weight reduction as Wegovy.
While Ozempic shouldn’t be indicated for weight problems, it’s extensively used for weight administration, pressuring already-constrained provides.
“It is recommended to limit initiations of new patients (on Ozempic) during the shortage and until the supply situation improves, which is expected in Q1 2024,” Novo (NVO) mentioned.
The firm can also be slicing the provides of one other diabetes drug known as Victoza to spice up Ozempic manufacturing. Victoza accommodates GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide, as its energetic ingredient. “No new patients should be started on Victoza until at least Q2 2024 when supply is expected to normalize,” Novo mentioned.
Meanwhile, the European Medicines Agency mentioned that Ozempic and Victoza shortages will final all through 2024 and till not less than Q2 2024, respectively.
