In a lack of Ozempic and Victoza: Call on doctors not to prescribe them in new patients

Novo Nordisk, who manufactures medicines and Victoza for diabetes, asks, through a letter to , not to prescribe these preparations because they are in lack. In addition to the call not to administer these drugs to new patients, the company via the FDA asks doctors not to prescribe Ozempic for weight loss because there is a risk that patients with diabetes who really need it may not find it. Novo Nordisk notes that increased demand for Ozempic in combination with limited production capacity in some factories has led to limited availability of the drug. That is why there have been deficiencies that are expected to continue periodically in the 4th quarter of 2024. Thus, it is recommended to continue the limited initiation of treatment in young patients until availability improves, which is expected in September 2024. In order to address the deficiencies of Ozempic, the company had temporarily reduced the supply of the market with Victoza from the 4th quarter of 2023. However, although it improved the availability of Victoza in early 2024, periodic deficiencies remain. In order to ensure the continued treatment of patients already taking it, Novo Nordisk asks not to start treatment with Victoria new patients. If a shortage is observed in patients already on treatment with one or the other medicine, the company recommends that they go safely to another product for injection in the same or different class of medicines. For which patients are intended The two drugs are approved in our country for the treatment of adults with poorly controlled type diabetes mellitus 2. To be taken in combination with diet and exercise: Whether alone (monotherapy), when metformin is considered inappropriate due to intolerance/ contraindications Whether in combination with other medicines for diabetes Victoza is also indicated for adolescents and children aged 10 years or older with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic contains the active substance semaglutide. It is taken by injection once a week. Accordingly, Victoza contains the active substance liraglutide and is taken once a day. “Any other use, including weight management, is a use outside of indications,” the company points out in its letter. It adds that this use ” jeopardises the availability of Ozempic and Victoza to the population for which their use is appropriate”.