With Ozempic stocks low, here is what you need know about Eucalyptus’ replica drug

An Australian company will soon produce a locally made version of Ozempic, a popular diabetes drug used for weight loss. But how safe will it be?

An Australian start-up company will soon rival Ozempic, selling its own replica of the controversial weight loss drug in a move set to flip the local market.

Eucalyptus, a large Woolworths-backed telehealth start-up that sells weight loss medications, announced on Thursday it will soon produce a version of the drug manufactured at two Australian compounding pharmacies.

Supply for the popular medication Ozempic is currently controlled by Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk.

The US Food and Drug Administration has warned that alternatives such as the one proposed by Eucalyptus have not been regulated or undergone safety evaluations.

However, Eucalyptus clinical director Matt Vickers said their own independent research shows their product is safe and tested.

Pictured is Clinical Director of online healthcare company Eucalyptus, Dr Matt Vickers. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“Over the last year we have had extensive feedback from our patients that while our holistic treatment can be life-changing, the lack of certainty on medication supply concerns them,” Mr Vickers said.

“People who have battled weight problems and might be pre-diabetic or insulin resistant can drastically improve their health by losing weight. It can literally save their life.

“When they finally start to make progress on our programs, it can be hugely stressful to have that progress stall because of a lack of supply.”

Here is everything you need to know about this new alternative drug.

WHAT IS THE NEW DRUG?

The replica drug involves Eucalyptus having registered chemists make its alternative as a pharmacy compound that doesn’t have to meet the same regulatory standards as mass manufactured drugs.

Under the plan, the substitute would need to be prescribed by one of Eucalyptus’ doctors or nurses before it’s delivered directly from one of the company’s partner pharmacies to a patient, who would know it was not brand-name Ozempic.

Patients who buy through Eucalyptus will not receive pens of regular semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in Ozempic. Instead, they will get syringes of semaglutide sodium, a similar but different compound that is salt-based.

Ozempic was originally approved to treat people with Type 2 diabetes- who risk serious health consequences without medication. Picture: AFP

ARE THERE SAFETY RISKS?

Ozempic has been linked to weight loss by a host of celebrities and influencers but is only recommended in Australia as a treatment for type 2 diabetes.

Doctors can prescribe Ozempic as a treatment for weight loss if they believe it necessary for the patient, which is how Eucalyptus was selling it online even as the government’s drug regulator urges patients to stick to the recommended use.

However, Mr Vickers said the company has gone “above and beyond” what the TGA regulations have in place around compounded medications.

“Doctors in Australia have for some time been safely prescribing compounded semaglutide to their patients. By utilising safe and high quality compounding pharmacies our practitioners can maintain continuity of care for our patients,” he said.

“In addition to the rigorous safety standards compounding pharmacies follow, we have engaged independent experts from Monash University and UWA to thoroughly test the compounded semaglutide.

“Every single batch of compounded semaglutide will undergo testing for safety. This goes over and above the required standards to ensure patient safety.

“This bridges the gap of medication shortages and is a temporary measure.”

Compound semaglutide will work like the Ozempic drug.

Associate Professor in pharmacoepidemiology at the University of Western Australia Frank Sanfilippo said: “It is my professional opinion that the compounded Semaglutide preparations prepared by [the two partner pharmacies] will be safe and efficacious for human use.

“And that their safety, efficacy and physicochemical stability will be similar to that of Ozempic.”

But despite the extreme demand for alternatives, the official manufacturers have warned against taking, making and prescribing unofficial versions of their drugs.

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, told the ABC: “Compounded semaglutide products should not be prescribed or dispensed to patients. These unregistered, unlicensed products present a potential significant safety risk to patients.

“Novo Nordisk is aware there are a number of entities offering compounded semaglutide and has consulted the TGA, and others, on this matter.”

IS IT LEGAL TO SELL?

Eucalyptus sells Ozempic online through its weight loss brand Juniper for women and Pilot brand for men, alongside a host of other medications.

However, the company has faced fluctuating drug supplies and new rules from the Medical Board of Australia barring doctors at firms including Eucalyptus from prescribing medication without ever holding phone or video calls with patients.

Australia’s medicines regulator, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has said Novo Nordisk was the only pharmaceutical company authorised to supply approved products containing semaglutide.

CAN DIABETICS TAKE THE DRUG?

A spokesperson for Eucalyptus said the drug will be available to patients of Juniper and Pilot where their health practitioner has deemed it suitable and where the patient has provided informed consent.

They also said a significant number of Eucalyptus patients are diabetic, pre-diabetic or at high risk of developing diabetes.

“Obesity is a leading cause of diabetes, so people managing their weight can be critical to them avoiding developing diabetes and other health conditions such as heart disease,” a spokesperson said.

WHEN WILL IT BE AVAILABLE?

Eucalyptus said they are currently focused on ensuring existing patients can access the compounded semaglutide in order to provide “continuity of care in light of the ongoing medication shortages”.

It will only be prescribed to patients where their health practitioner has deemed it suitable and where the patient has provided informed consent.

Should that occur, the medication will be available from the compounding pharmacies producing it.

Originally published as With Ozempic stocks low, here is what you need know about Eucalyptus’ replica drug