Published 15 February 2023, ListenPrintShare Source
Limited supplies of Ozempic (Semaglutide) have now commenced distribution in Australia. From late next week, there will be limited quantities of Ozempic, which is indicated for certain patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus available at some (but not all) community pharmacies.
Supply is expected to improve over the next few weeks, although will remain quite limited for some time. The arrival time of stock at individual pharmacies will vary as stock is urgently dispatched from Novo Nordisk to pharmaceutical wholesalers around Australia.
If you have a prescription for Ozempic, please be mindful that there will likely be some difficulty in sourcing Ozempic and many people will be unable to fill their Ozempic prescriptions until supply improves over the coming months. Only fill your script if your prescriber agrees that Ozempic continues to be the most appropriate medicine for you. If you have switched to another medicine because you have been unable to obtain Ozempic, you should speak to your doctor about your ongoing treatment. You may need to restart on the introductory dose of Ozempic to minimize gastrointestinal side effects. Do not take Ozempic in addition to your current diabetes medicines unless your doctor has told you to.
Ozempic has been included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. A worldwide shortage of semaglutide began to affect Australia in early 2022 when Novo Nordisk couldn’t supply enough Ozempic to meet an unexpected increase in demand due to both high uses in type 2 diabetes and off-label prescribing for weight loss.
Additional Sources
- Ozembic Semaglutide supplies return to Australia ahead of schedule. RACPGP Source
