The injectable drug Ozempic is shown Saturday, July 1, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A shortage of diabetes drug Ozempic is being blamed on “off-label” prescriptions for weight loss in the U.K.
Charities have urged prescribers to stop issuing the once-weekly injectable for weight loss until there’s enough to supply people with diabetes.
They’ve also warned people already using the drug may be forced to use alternative treatments without continual supplies.
The drug from Novo Nordisk — which contains the active ingredient semaglutide — helps some people with type two diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.
But, on social media at least, it may be better known as a weight-loss aid.
Although it hasn’t been approved for this use by the U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, it can be — and is — often prescribed for weight loss, off-label.
Low supplies of the drug — and other similar medicines — globally are being felt in the U.K., where officials warn a national shortage could last till into 2024.
Prescribers have been told not to start new patients on the drug for the time being, meaning that people with type two diabetes will likely miss out while supply issues persist.
Some people already using Ozempic may have to start taking insulin or other alternatives if they cannot obtain regular prescriptions, according to charity Diabetes U.K.
Insulin is a hormone that moves sugar from the blood to other cells in the body. It’s widely available and prescribed to diabetes patients for free in the U.K. But dosage can be difficult to manage, meaning many patients experience complications like low blood sugar.
Semaglutide and other similar drugs are not a direct replacement for insulin, and cannot be used by people with type one diabetes for glucose control. They mimic a different hormone that helps the body regulate its own insulin.
The drugs also come with their own set of possible side effects, some of which can be serious. Regulators in the U.K. and the European Union are currently reviewing some of them over a small number of reports related to self-harm and thoughts of suicide.
Taking extended breaks between doses, or switching between Ozempic and other drugs that work in similar ways, may also lead to side effects.
Diabetes U.K. head of care Douglas Twenefour said in a statement: “We understand that off-label prescribing can be beneficial in some circumstances, but we cannot support it when it is directly contributing to ongoing shortages for people living with type two diabetes and the impact this has on managing it well.
“These shortages have serious clinical implications in the management of people living with type two diabetes, both on physical and mental wellbeing, and existing stock must be conserved for their use.”
Government officials are keen to increase access to sister semaglutide Wegovy for use as a slimming aid. U.K. Prime minister Rishi Sunak has announced a £40m ($51m) fund to improve availability of the drug, which is MHRA-approved for weight loss.
There are no plans to seek approval for Ozempic as weight loss drug in the U.K., a media relations company representing Novo Nordisk UK told Forbes.com.
A similar diabetes drug called Mounjaro was recently rejected by U.K. spending watchdog NICE for weight loss.
The organization — which evaluates the cost-effectiveness of drugs and medical devices — asked manufacturers Eli Lilly for clearer evidence of its weight loss effects.
Before NICE experts are satisfied, they won’t recommend the drug for use on the country’s publicly-funded National Health Service: a move that could increase accessibility widely.
This article has been updated with a line from a company representing Novo Nordisk UK.