Ozempic (semaglutide) supply information

Update: 

• The Ozempic supply situation has improved sufficiently to allow normal prescribing for the approved indication (see below).
• The 1.5 mL Ozempic 0.25 mg/0.5 mg pre-filled pen is being replaced by a 3 mL pen. Go to: New presentation of Ozempic 0.25 mg/0.5 mg pre-filled pens for more information.

Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has recently advised us that the Ozempic (semaglutide) supply situation has improved sufficiently to allow previous prescribing and supply restrictions to be lifted. They are also confident that stocks at wholesalers and future shipments arriving in Australia should cover the ongoing needs of patients prescribed Ozempic for the approved indication of management of type 2 diabetes.

Please note that following a significant medicine shortage such as this, it can take time to re-establish optimal supply levels in local pharmacies. If patients cannot get Ozempic at their regular pharmacy, the pharmacist can contact their wholesaler to find out when more stock will be available. They can also contact Novo Nordisk for supply information on 1800 668 626.

We will continue to monitor the supply situation. 

Information for patients

Your regular pharmacy should be able to fill your prescription for Ozempic now that Australian supply is returning to normal. However, as explained above, it can take time for some pharmacies to restore their stock levels after a lengthy shortage. 

If they do not have the Ozempic you need, you can ask your pharmacist to contact their wholesaler or Novo Nordisk to find out when more stock will be available.

Ozempic is a brand of the medicine called semaglutide and is only subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for treatment of type 2 diabetes when certain conditions are met. 

Wegovy is another brand of semaglutide. It is indicated for chronic weight management and reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with established cardiovascular disease without diabetes. 

As explained above, Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient, but the approved indications (circumstances for use) are different. They also have different dosages and delivery devices. Because of this, you cannot use a prescription for Wegovy to get Ozempic, or the other way round.

Your doctor will prescribe the brand and strength of medicine that is suitable for you.

See below for information about why doctors can't prescribe semaglutide on the PBS for weight loss.

Information for pharmacists

Please be aware that wholesaler supply restrictions have now been lifted. Contact your wholesaler or Novo Nordisk if you need increased supply of Ozempic.

Information for prescribers

Novo Nordisk has advised that the supply of Ozempic has returned to a sufficient level to allow for both initiation of treatment for new patients and maintenance for existing patients. 

The PBS criteria – Ozempic is for treatment of type 2 diabetes when certain conditions are met – remain unchanged. 

The Ozempic Medicine Shortage Action Group, which was convened during the shortage and comprised of clinical experts and patient groups, continues to recommend Ozempic and Wegovy be prescribed to patients in accordance with their approved indications:

• Ozempic is indicated for the management of type 2 diabetes
• Wegovy is indicated for chronic weight management and reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with established cardiovascular disease without diabetes.

Why doctors can't prescribe semaglutide on the PBS for weight loss

For a medicine to get a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing for a particular use − known as an ‘indication’ − such as for managing people with conditions such as overweight or obesity, the pharmaceutical company that produces it must first apply to have the indication added to the medicine’s Product Information (PI).

The company then must apply for a PBS listing for that indication. The Government relies on the advice of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), an independent expert advisory body, to assess the application. 

By law, the Government:

• cannot list a medicine on the PBS unless the PBAC recommends it
• requires advice from the PBAC before a change can be made to an existing PBS listing, such as the medical conditions and patients that can be treated.

When assessing a medicine for a proposed PBS listing, the PBAC must consider the safety as well as the clinical and cost effectiveness of the medicine, including comparing it to alternative treatments. PBAC outcomes (including the outcome for Wegovy) are listed on the PBS website.

As pharmaceutical companies are private entities that make their own decisions on the availability of their medicines, we can’t make them apply to add a particular indication or for a PBS subsidy.

Background

The worldwide shortage of Ozempic started in April 2022 when Novo Nordisk couldn’t supply enough Ozempic to meet an unexpected increase in demand due to off-label prescribing for conditions other than those approved by the TGA. Off-label prescribing is a regular occurrence in the Australian healthcare system, used in particular for uncommon diseases and conditions, or in underrepresented patient groups. We do not have the power to regulate the clinical decisions of health professionals and are unable to prevent doctors from using their clinical judgement to prescribe medicines for other health conditions.

During the Ozempic shortage, we:

• approved multiple overseas semaglutide medicines that could be used while the Australian-registered Ozempic was unavailable
• worked with wholesalers to distribute stock fairly when it was available
• met with the pharmaceutical company, medical colleges, health professional organisations and peak obesity groups to help to get the medicine that was available to the people who needed it most, and to provide advice about alternatives
• communicated updates on this webpage and also the Medicine Shortage Reports Database.

You can read more about how the TGA manages medicine shortages in the accessing medicines during a shortage section of our website.