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Ozempic

erinadatatham96

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Does anyone know or had an update on when Ozempic will be available again? Struggling with the substitute injections the GP gave me
really want ozempic back
 
erinadatatham96 said:
Does anyone know or had an update on when Ozempic will be available again? Struggling with the substitute injections the GP gave me
really want ozempic back
Click to expand...

UK government is preparing guidance to help with type 2 diabetes medication supply issues - The Pharmaceutical Journal

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has said it is working on guidance to help prescribers navigate shortages of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. On 30 September 2022, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) issued medicine supply notifications for...
pharmaceutical-journal.com
 
nellywilk said:
Same here, looks like there is not much info about it at the moment.
Click to expand...
just seen a news report on CNN about Ozempic. It is top on the FDA list of drug shortages and is being sold OTC at high price for weight loss. It is being pushed by Influencers, and celebrities. Elon Musk is using it apparently. It is a miracle drug for those of means, and the medical profession says it is unlikely to be avalable for some time. They are warning of serious side effects, and that people are presenting to A&E as a result of this medication, and there is no oversight on users since it is OTC and unregulated. There is also evidence that this drug is needing to be considered to be a lifelong treatment, not a quick fix when used for its original, diabetic, use. It seems that when the drug is stopped, the weight piles back on and the diabetes returns. So much for miracle cure.

So the A's have it.
 
erinadatatham96 said:
Does anyone know or had an update on when Ozempic will be available again? Struggling with the substitute injections the GP gave me
really want ozempic back
Click to expand...
Make of this what you will , In Australia Semaglutide (Ozempic) is expected around March 2023

# Note it was recently featured in "Science Daily". com online 03 Nov 2022 under the title "Obesity drug helps teens lose weight, study finds"

Source: University of Pittsburgh

Summary:A drug called semaglutide, which is approved for adults with obesity or overweight, also helps adolescents shed pounds and have healthier hearts, according to a new study.


However with that being said Big Pharma ( Novo Nordisk ) may have a continued global shortage due to this recent exposure in the USA who really knows ?

In Australia it is being sold through dieticians for obese people rather than a lifesaving drug for diabetics unable to take insulin for up to $850.00 per 1mg injection [ Australia has no regulation on price for business legally allowed to buy it according the the TGA ( Theraputic Drugs Administration ) So it seems he who has the dollars gets it !

Previously it was only available by Doctors prescription via a Pharmacy / Chemist for $148 unsubsidised.]

Sorry I cant help but this is the situation down here , perhaps others around the world can expand on its availability

Best of luck obtaining it

Woz
 
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Hi Folks. I'm new on this forum, but just want to add my bit to this discussion/thread. I'm an Aussie (in Queensland) and I've had Type 2 since 2005. I've been on diaformin, metformin, Jardiamet and more recently, Trulicity pens (dulaglutide) since May21. My body got used to Trulicity and it became less effective, so my doctor (GP) prescribed Ozempic pens (semaglutide) in Feb22, initially 1.5mL (now 3mL dose). Initially I had no weight loss but my HbA1c came down considerably from 8.9 to 6.8. Then, a couple of months later, Ozempic featured on the TV news as a "miracle" weight loss cure - and within 1 week - it was no longer available. I thought it was just here in my state, Queensland, but I learnt that it was almost impossible to obtain anywhere in Australia (and from this forum, I've learnt its actually a worldwide shortage).
After 8 months of taking Ozempic (with some gaps due to the supply shortage) I have lost almost 3kg (6.6lbs), and like others here, I have now also lost my appetite - but I still eat! Accordingly my diet has changed and I've also re-commenced daily exercise (1/2 hour walks). Ozempic is now $A 132.95 per box (4 doses) here in Queensland, but luckily I am subsidised by the Govt. The only problem now is trying to obtain the (almost) unobtainable stuff, which like Woz, I've been told won't be available until around March '23. Cheers, DB1.
 
This delay may be a blessing in disguise

Results - Clinical Review Report: Semaglutide (Ozempic) - NCBI Bookshelf

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Note that since this trial analysis was published, there have been several reports of possible Thyroid cancer and pancreatic cancer following use of these medications. So the glib dismissal of SEM events being unrelated to the trial may need looking at in greater detail. I have now seen 2 members here reporting thyroid cancer diagnosis soon after starting this medication. The FDA has published a Box Warning in the USA on this, but NICE has not yet changed the UK dispensary data,

Important Safety Information | Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection 0.5 mg or 1 mg

View the Important Safety Information for Ozempic®. Read Important Safety Information, including boxed warning.
www.ozempic.com

There also seem to be a risk of DKA occurring with this medication. I would advise investing in a tub of wee stix to detect ketones. Do not combine this med with a low cqrb diet, iT needs carbs to work.
 
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I didn’t know there was a shortage I’ve been dropped down to 0.5mg instead of 1mg due to vomiting and I got that with no problems.
 
Gday DB1

I’ve written to the Federal minister for health , The TGA, Novo Nordisk March2023 its due

Im allergic to all tablets and insulin and react badly, even getting insulin blisters forming, Ive stopped taking them.

Ozempic was the only thing that worked and now unavailable , the government and pharmaceutical co’s dont care while they are making money selling & taxing this stuff to the krispy kreme people.
so if I die from diabetes thats why.

good luck to the rest of you. Im about ready for another diabetic coma attack (brittle diabetes sufferer)
 
Sarah69 said:
I didn’t know there was a shortage I’ve been dropped down to 0.5mg instead of 1mg due to vomiting and I got that with no problems.
Click to expand...
1 mg is impossible to get you may have a pharmacist looking after you
 
As a new member, I know I'm not allowed to include weblinks, although I just (today) found this information on the Australian Novonordisk website (dated 4 Nov 22):
"4 NOVEMBER 2022: IMPORTANT OZEMPIC® (semaglutide) AVAILABILITY UPDATE
Novo Nordisk continues to experience stronger than anticipated demand for Ozempic®. Whilst we continue to significantly increase our production, our present supply does not always meet this demand in Australia.
Further to recent guidance provided to the TGA, Novo Nordisk advises the temporary unavailability of Ozempic® (semaglutide) into the first three months of 2023. We anticipate being able to re-supply Ozempic® in Australia within the first three months of 2023.
Due to the temporary unavailability of Ozempic®, doctors should consider alternatives to Ozempic® for their patients until it is available again in 2023."

Not unlike Woz (G'day Woz), I don't know what else has the same effect, and my GP can't suggest anything else either. Although it became less effective for me, there's no point being prescribed Trulicity (dulaglutide), because apparently it is just as hard/impossible to obtain at the moment. Not sure where you live Woz, but can you get that in your area? Might be better than nothing, if you can get Trulicity (but obviously ask your GP first). I had no problems with taking that drug, and it did work for a while.

Like Sarah69, I started off with the Ozempic pen in the red box (0.25mg & 0.5mg) depending upon the amount you wind it up; then progressed to the green box (3mL). I had no trouble with Ozempic however (no vomiting etc.) unlike some of my other heart medications (such as Entresto) which took about 2 months for me to get used to it.

Thanks for the warning, Oldvatr. Good to be reminded of that and I'll watch closely for any symptoms; however given my other medical conditions as well as my other 14 tablets per day, I'm sure that something will eventually "take me out"!!! I suppose it's a game of what kills you first; but I try to remain positive and enjoy my life as much as I can. I will however take your advice, avoid the low carbs and monitor my ketones from time to time.
Cheers, DB1.
 
NovoNordisks standard reply is exactly what you wrote , ( form letter advising doctors) the point being its done and dusted if you can find it great if not too bad

Its big pharma controlling the prices like the Netflix Goliath series with Billy Bob Thornton and the opioids episode….
 
Note for Woz (and other Type 1 folk). Further to my last post (above) I have just noted that you have Type 1; which I hadn't seen before (sorry).
I recall reading that Trulicity pens (dulaglutide) are NOT recommended for those with Type 1, only Type 2 diabetes. So, there's yet another drug that has been ruled-out for you.

However, I have also just read a web post from the makers of Trulicity: "Eli Lilly Australia (Lilly) continues to have limited availability of the Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) medication, Trulicity (dulaglutide) due to global supply pressures resulting from increased demand. As reflected on the TGA medicine shortage reports database, this is expected to continue until 31 March 2023."

So it doesn't matter anyway, because it too, is not available at this time! I don't know whether it's "big pharma controlling the prices" (as Woz has suggested), or whether it's the war in Ukraine, or all those people wanting to lose weight, or whatever excuse; but it certainly is a pain in the butt for us plebs.

Cheers, DB1.
 
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