B.C. temporarily limiting Ozempic refills amid supply issues
Posted August 29, 2023 11:27 pm.
Last Updated August 29, 2023 11:28 pm.
People in B.C. living with Type Two diabetes will have to head to the pharmacy more often as the province moves to limit refills of Ozempic.
Novo Nordisk — the manufacturer of the drug — says it is experiencing temporary supply issues leading to a worldwide shortage.
Earlier in August, the company and Health Canada warned a shortage wasn’t far off, and projected that these “intermittent shortages” would last until October.
“We are experiencing a temporary supply disruption with the Ozempic 1 mg (injection) pen due to the combination of overall global supply constraints coupled with increased demand,” said Novo Nordisk spokesperson Kate Hanna in an emailed statement.
Related article:
Surrey-based Pharmacist Dorctor Akshay Jain says he’s been told supply disruptions should last several weeks.
“Depending upon the location — if the pharmacy is very busy and they don’t have enough in stock right now — there are chances that they might be out of the stock by sometime at the end of next month,” he said.
“We try to … calm them down and tell them, ‘Okay, you know, don’t worry this disruption is not long-lasting, this is only for one and a half months, and it will be back into stocks hopefully in October.'”
Jain says concern is growing among many of his customers, as some wonder if they’ll have access to critical medication.
The provincial government has said it may take steps to protect supply to ensure people with Type Two diabetes get priority access to the drug.
With files from OMNI and The Canadian Press
