EU faces ongoing GLP-1 medicines shortage

The EU is facing a shortage of medicines that act on a hormone called Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps control blood sugar and appetite, which is affecting the EU Member States since 2022 and will continue throughout 2024.  These medicines are either authorised for the treatment of diabetes (such as, Ozempic, Byetta, Rybelsus and Victoza) or weight management under certain conditions (such as, Saxenda, Wegovy, Mounjaro).

The shortage is due to an increased demand for these medicines, especially for off-label use for cosmetic weight loss in people without obesity or people overweight who do not have weight related health problems. This off label use has been mentioned frequently in the news and social media and is exacerbating existing shortages with serious consequences for public health.

One of these medicines, Ozempic, has shown a prolonged shortage and ongoing high demand for the medicine which has been linked to reports of falsified Ozempic.

The EMA and the EU regulatory network are closely monitoring the shortages through the Medicines Shortages Single Point of Contact working party (SPOC WP) and the Executive Steering Group on Shortages and Safety of Medicinal Products (MSSG).

The MSSG has discussed potential recommendations for measures to be undertaken by all stakeholders to mitigate the shortage and ensure supply of these medicines to patients. The recommendations include controlled distribution, promotional approval and awareness campaigns by marketing authorisation holders, guidelines for prioritisation of patients and implementation of mitigation measures by Member States and prescribing and dispensing in line with authorised uses and national guidance by healthcare professionals.

The MSSG also advises patients and members of the public to use these medicines only under medical supervision, to consult a healthcare professional for weight management advice, and to avoid buying these medicines online from unregistered sources.