Province taking steps to prevent Ozempic shortage

In an effort to prevent a shortage, the B.C. government is looking to shore up supplies of the diabetes drug Ozempic.

Provincial officials said there isn’t currently a shortage, but one could be possible due to the number of U.S. residents getting the drug from B.C.

In January and February, 15 per cent or 15,798 of Ozempic dispenses in B.C. were sold to U.S. residents.

The average of other drugs going to Americans is 0.4 per cent.

“The purpose of procuring the drug Ozempic for British Columbia is not to turn around and export it to Americans,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix in a release.

“It is to make sure patients in British Columbia and Canada requiring the drug to treat their Type 2 diabetes can continue to access it.”

The province is looking to change regulations, which will limit the sale of Ozempic to non-Canadian residents in case of supply issues.

Provincial officials said two B.C. pharmacies were responsible for 13,197 of the 15,798 dispenses to U.S. residents and 95 per cent of prescriptions were written by practitioners in Nova Scotia.

“The number of prescriptions emanating from one or more practitioners in Nova Scotia is concerning,” Dix said.

“As a direct result of the review of PharmaNet data, I am writing to all provincial and territorial health ministers in Canada, as well as the Minister of Health for Canada, Jean-Yves Duclos, to review and take appropriate actions.”

Another issue is Ozempic is being used as a weight loss method.

Dix said the drug isn’t approved for weight loss, but it is one of the side effects.

He said physicians prescribing and pharmacies dispensing Ozempic need to follow the product’s approved indication.

Josiah Spyker
Josiah Spyker
Josiah is an integral part of our East Kootenay team. Since joining Vista Radio in 2021, he has combined his love of community and sport in his reporting for the news team, while also stepping in as an on-air announcer.

Continue Reading

chnv Now playing play

ckkc Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Drug alert issued for entire Interior Health Region

A drug alert has been issued across all Interior Health regions following an increase in the detection of carfentanil in Down (opioid). 

Category 2 open fire prohibition coming into affect Friday

Category 2 open burning will be prohibited across the Southeast Fire Centre starting Friday, July 11 at 12 p.m.  

Join the Wildfire Awareness Party at Lakeside Park in Nelson on July 10

The Nelson & Area Wildfire Risk Reduction Committee is inviting residents and visitors in the Kootenays to take part in a family-friendly Wildfire Awareness Party at Lakeside Park on Thursday, July 10, from 2 to 6 p.m.

WestJet adding more flights on B.C. routes

WestJet is increasing the frequency of several B.C. routes, starting next week. 

Updated: Missing woman found

Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating 52-year-old Jodi Lynn Perry, who was last seen in Airdrie on Wednesday, however, believed to be in the Salmo area.
- Advertisement -