Ozempic shortage leaves B.C. diabetics frustrated

Some B.C. diabetics say they are growing increasingly desperate for a life-saving medication.

For months, the province has faced a critical shortage of Ozempic, a shot used in the treatment of diabetes, which is also being used by some to lose weight — a fad made popular by celebrities and influencers.

Pat Douglas has Type 2 Diabetes and says this past weekend she wasn’t able to get her hands on Ozempic and missed her dose — a dose that needs to be taken at the same time every week, or it could affect blood sugar levels.

Douglas says she called at least a dozen pharmacies from Richmond to White Rock to Langley and was told they didn’t have the medication in stock.

“When you phone in, it’s like, ‘Well, we don’t have any right now.’ And then they put you on a waitlist to get it whenever they happen to get a shipment,” she said.

‘Diabetics should have first priority’

This isn’t the first time Douglas has faced this obstacle, adding she’s run into challenges three or four times now.

Douglas says the trend of people using the drug to lose weight is hurting those who really need it.

“It’s being used way too much as a miracle cure for weight loss. If someone is severely obese and they need Ozempic to lose weight, I don’t have a problem with that, but I have a problem with people who are trying to lose 20 pounds or 10 pounds and getting Ozempic from their doctors, when diabetics should have first priority,” she told CityNews.

Douglas adds she feels lucky because she has another diabetes medication she takes and thinks that has helped keep her blood sugar levels stable.

She feels one solution is if Canada was able to manufacture the drug.

“And as soon as they can, they should be, because this relying on other countries and these big drug manufacturers — you’re at their mercy,” Douglas said.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Douglas was able to track down a pharmacy that had two boxes of 0.5ml dose pens. She says she took two to make up one full dose but isn’t sure if she’ll get her next shot on time.

Novo Nordisk, which makes Ozempic, has told Health Canada to expect intermittent shortages until at least spring 2024.

“Novo Nordisk expects intermittent shortages of the Ozempic 1 mg pen will last until March 31, 2024. It is also reporting intermittent shortages of their lower-dose pen (0.25/0.5 mg) until March 31, 2024. This is due to increased worldwide demand for the products and overall supply constraints,” reads the Health Canada website.

Diabetes Canada says it’s monitoring the situation and is telling anyone who needs the drug to contact their doctor to discuss other medicinal options.