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 will even restrict the provision of the 0.25-mg beginning dose of Ozempic to prioritize current sufferers on the remedy. The corporate has already used the technique within the U.S., the place the GLP-1 receptor agonist recognized as semaglutide is authorized for weight reduction as Wegovy.
Whereas Ozempic is just not indicated for weight problems, it’s extensively used for weight administration, pressuring already-constrained provides.
“It is suggested to restrict initiations of latest sufferers (on Ozempic) through the scarcity and till the provision scenario improves, which is predicted in Q1 2024,” Novo (NVO) mentioned.
The corporate can also be reducing the provides of one other diabetes drug referred to as Victoza to spice up Ozempic manufacturing. Victoza comprises GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide, as its lively ingredient. “No new sufferers ought to be began on Victoza till at the very least Q2 2024 when provide is predicted to normalize,” Novo mentioned.
In the meantime, the European Medicines Company mentioned that Ozempic and Victoza shortages will final all through 2024 and till at the very least Q2 2024, respectively.