Greece Faces Shortage of Ozempic and Victoza: Calls for Cautious Prescribing

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Greece is experiencing a shortage of the diabetes medications Ozempic and Victoza, prompting pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk to urge healthcare providers to prescribe these drugs sparingly, particularly to younger patients.

In a letter to the National Medicines Agency (NDA), Novo Nordisk highlighted the limited availability of these medications, attributing the shortage to increased demand and production constraints.

The company emphasised that Ozempic and Victoza should be reserved for patients with type 2 diabetes, for whom these drugs are essential, and warned against their use for weight loss. Novo Nordisk noted that any off-label use, including for weight management, could further strain supplies, potentially depriving those in need of their prescribed treatment.

To address the ongoing shortage of Ozempic, Novo Nordisk has temporarily reduced the supply of Victoza since Q4 2023. This measure aims to boost the availability of Ozempic until production capacity improves, with an expected resolution in September 2024. The company stressed that these shortages are not related to any quality or safety issues with the drugs.

In cases where shortages affect current patients, Novo Nordisk advises healthcare providers to consider switching to alternative injectable treatments. Ozempic and Victoza are both approved in Greece for the treatment of adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, and Victoza is also approved for use in children aged 10 and older. Both medications should be used in conjunction with diet and exercise, either alone or with other diabetes treatments.

Novo Nordisk’s letter underscores the importance of prioritising these drugs for their approved uses, cautioning that any off-label applications could compromise their availability for those who rely on them for managing diabetes.