The current Trulicity (dulaglutide) supply situation
Eli Lilly has informed the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) that the limited availability of Trulicity (dulaglutide) will be extended to 31 December 2024, in line with a similar notification for Ozempic (semaglutide).
We recommend that patients with type 2 diabetes who are unable to fill their script for Trulicity in time for their next dose should contact their doctor immediately to have their treatment plan reassessed.
The TGA continues to work with Eli Lilly, pharmaceutical wholesalers and medical professional organisations to provide any solutions possible for patients during this shortage.
The TGA will publish updates about the supply of Trulicity from Eli Lilly on the Medicine Shortage Reports Database.
Stay up to date
The worldwide shortage of Trulicity (dulaglutide) is closely related to the shortage of another diabetes medicine, Ozempic (semaglutide). Trulicity is manufactured by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. Ozempic is manufactured by another pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk.
Since the shortages started, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has received hundreds of messages with comments and questions from people who have been affected, many with similar concerns. We recognise the importance of Trulicity for patients living with diabetes, and we are taking this shortage very seriously.
This page includes answers to questions we have received about the Trulicity shortage.
- Facts about Trulicity
- Why the Trulicity shortage has happened
- What the TGA is doing about the Trulicity shortage
- What the TGA can’t do during a medicine shortage
- Overseas-registered Trulicity is available
- What to do if you can’t get Trulicity
- When will the Trulicity shortage end?
The page is updated immediately when information changes or is added.
Soon you will be able to get an email alert whenever we change or add information about the Trulicity shortage on this webpage. Please sign up for this updating service when it becomes available.
Facts about Trulicity
Trulicity is a brand of the medicine called dulaglutide. Trulicity:
- is supplied by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly
- is a weekly injection
- is an antidiabetic medicine that is different to insulin
- is only approved by the TGA for lowering blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes
- is subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for treatment of type 2 diabetes when certain conditions are met.
You can read more about Trulicity in the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI).
Why the Trulicity shortage has happened
In June 2022, Eli Lilly told the TGA there was a shortage of Trulicity due to an unexpected increase in demand.
This increase in demand is closely related to the shortage of Ozempic, another diabetes medicine made by a different company. This is because some patients using Ozempic to treat their diabetes were moved to alternate medicines, including Trulicity.
What the TGA is doing about the Trulicity shortage
The TGA's role in medicine shortages is to reduce the impact on patients where possible. In the Trulicity shortage, we:
- approved a suitable overseas medicine that can be used temporarily
- are meeting with the other pharmaceutical company, medical colleges and health professional organisations about how to get Ozempic to the people who need it most, to take the pressure off the supply of Trulicity
- are liaising closely with Eli Lilly and communicating updates on the Medicine Shortage Reports Database.
You can read more about how the TGA manages medicine shortages in the information for consumers section of our website.
What the TGA can't do during a medicine shortage
As pharmaceutical companies are private entities, the TGA can’t force them to make or supply medicines in Australia. The TGA also can’t force them to list their medicines on the PBS or redirect stock from other markets.
Overseas-registered Trulicity is available
The TGA has approved the supply of an overseas-registered dulaglutide product temporarily under section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
This is the same as the Australian-registered Trulicity, however it comes from a supplier in another country and may be considerably more expensive.
Also, while the Australian-registered Trulicity is subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the overseas-registered product currently is not. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) considered and recommended the listing of section 19A Trulicity on the PBS in October 2022, however the supplier declined to list at the price offered.
Pharmacists can also get more information and order the overseas brand by calling Medsurge Healthcare on 1300 788 261.
What to do if you can't get Trulicity
As there will be limited Trulicity available in Australia until 31 December 2024, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible to have your type 2 diabetes treatment reassessed if you are unable to fill your script.
There is a range of medicines available to treat type 2 diabetes, and your doctor will be able to advise you about the most appropriate treatment options for you.
This medicine shortage is causing understandable frustration and anxiety throughout the community. Please keep in mind that the health professionals at the medical practices and pharmacies you visit want the best possible health outcomes for everyone, but they do not control the availability of Trulicity. Please do not take your frustration or anger out on your pharmacist or doctor.
When will the Trulicity shortage end?
We don’t expect the Trulicity shortage to end before 31 December 2024.
The TGA is getting regular updates about the availability of Trulicity from Eli Lilly, and we will update this page immediately when the information changes. You can also check the Medicine Shortage Reports Database.