Knock-on effect of Ozempic craze causes another diabetes drug shortage

Global demand for the diabetes drug Ozempic for weight loss led to a worldwide scarcity — and it has now caused a shortage in another crucial drug for the condition.

The worldwide scramble for diabetes drug Ozempic, which is touted as an effective weight loss drug, has led to a global shortage of a similar diabetic drug called Trulicity.

The health regulator is now in talks with social media giants like TikTok about unlawful advertising of both drugs.

Both Ozempic and Trulicity have been called miracle weight loss drugs on social media and both have reported limited availability until March 31 2023 due to off-label prescribing for weight loss.

The Trulicity shortage has been blamed on the continuing craze for Ozempic.

The drugs both act as effective appetite suppressants but have been prescribed off-label for weight loss with the popularity largely driven by social media.

Diabetes medicine semaglutide called Ozempic. Picture: Supplied

Earlier in the year, the TGA recommended that doctors limit Ozempic prescriptions to diabetics only and said in a statement it was “actively investigating alleged unlawful advertising of Ozempic” and was meeting with social media platforms including TikTok to reinforce Australian therapeutic goods advertising laws.

“The TGA is also investigating how the offending posts can be removed and how to stop similar videos from being posted in the future.”

Eli Lilly Australia (Lilly), the makers of Trulicity, has reported a shortage until next March next year.

“With limited availability of stock, Lilly anticipates delays, interruptions and/or shortages in stock available through wholesalers and at pharmacies during this time,” the company said in a statement.

“Lilly is in frequent contact with wholesalers, and together we are closely monitoring stock levels. We are releasing stock to wholesalers as equitably as possible.

“We anticipate that patients could experience delays of several weeks in having their prescriptions filled, depending on location and wholesaler. Lilly does not have visibility of stock on hand at pharmacies.”

TikTok influencers are touting Ozempic drugs for weight loss.

Obesity expert Prof Joseph Proietto has urged the TGA to drop Ozempic restrictions.

The TGA said “some patients who had been prescribed Ozempic for its registered use to treat type 2 diabetes were then prescribed alternate medicines, including Trulicity (dulaglutide). Unfortunately, this in turn has resulted in a shortage of Trulicity”.

Professor Joseph Proietto, chair of the Clinical Care Committee of World Obesity, has written to the TGA arguing “the situation is unfair” on obese patients, arguing there were 11 separate drugs available for T2D.

“It should not be just restricted to diabetes, I’ve complained about their directive to favour diabetics, a lot of my obese patients are now being shamed by pharmacists to go away and eat less,” Prof Proietto said.

Prof Proietto also said the restrictions were leading to “fat shaming” of patients.

“We’ve have hundreds of distressed patients calling saying they are regaining weight and I can’t get Ozempic and the chemists are shaming people with obesity and saying, ‘Why are you coming to get this for weight, when you don’t have diabetes?’”