Health Canada is recommending that prescribers not start new patients on diabetes drugs such as Ozempic because of a worldwide shortage, except under certain conditions.
The federal department said Thursday it is working with manufacturers to monitor supplies.
Global demand for Ozempic has skyrocketed, in part because of prescriptions related to weight loss.
“Efforts are being made to increase manufacturing capacity. But it will take time to build up supply levels to meet the demand,” Health Canada said in a notice.
Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., which markets Ozempic, is expecting a shortage in Canada of the 0.25-milligram, 0.5-milligram and one-milligram injection pens until early 2024.
Similarly, Eli Lilly Canada Inc.,
