Health Canada says it is working with manufacturers to make diabetes drugs, including Ozempic, more available during a global shortage fueled by high demand that is expected to last until the end of the year.
Novo Nordisk, which markets Ozempic, expects a shortage in Canada of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg injector pens until the beginning of 2024, reports the federal agency.
Eli Lilly, which markets Trulicity and Mounjaro, also expects quantities of both drugs to drop early next year.
Health Canada indicates that efforts are being made to increase production capacity, but that it will take time to rebuild supply levels.
In the meantime, the federal agency recommends that prescribers not begin administering these drugs to new patients unless no suitable alternative exists and there is a clinical reason to do so.
She believes that these drugs, often used for weight loss, should be saved for people who have no other treatment options, because both pharmaceutical companies are asking pharmacists to limit prescription refills to a duration of 30 days.