Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Access to some diabetes drugs like Ozempic will continue to be limited until February 2025, Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke reported in a press release.
Who Qualifies for Ozempic Amidst Supply Shortages?
Only people within the planned target group of the medication – namely those with type 2 diabetes, a painful case of obesity, or a high BMI with other weight-related diseases– will be able to access the drug.
How Has Ozempic’s Demand Impacted Availability in Belgium?
Over the past year, the worldwide need for Ozempic has grown significantly, mainly due to its effectiveness as a weight loss drug. The high demand has led to deficiencies in the availability of Ozempic and other comparable GLP-1 drugs. This is expected to persist until February 2025, states the Federal Agency for Medicine and Health Products (FAMHP).
What Led to the Extension of Ozempic Restrictions?
Last November, a royal decree was issued restricting access to GLP-1 analogues, such as Ozempic. Following the update from the FAMHP, Vandenbroucke has determined to extend the restrictions. “In times of scarcity, I must ensure that those who truly need the drug are granted access,” Vandenbroucke stated.
How Does Ozempic Benefit Type 2 Diabetes Patients?
Medications like Ozempic are especially important for patients with type 2 diabetes. Without it, they bear the risk of having periodic blood sugars which can result in several difficulties including fainting or epileptic seizures. The FAMHP will continue to observe the situation at a European and national level. An evaluation with the Availability Task Force is designed for the beginning of November 2024. In case of further problems, the meeting will take place at an earlier date.
Moreover, In 2022 Doctors in Belgium were also urged to stop specifying the drug Ozempic – which regulates diabetes patients’ blood sugar levels – to people without the disease, as there was a looming shortage as a result of people using it to lose weight. “There is scientific proof that the drug works for losing weight, but it is not identified for that in Belgium,” he said.
While non-diabetes patients can also acquire the drug in Belgium, it is only reimbursed in the context of diabetes, as demonstrated by Michael Storme of the General Pharmaceutical Association. “But it is also prescribed by some doctors to lose weight.”
According to farmastatus.be, a website that publicised general information about different types of medicines, different amounts of the Ozempic medicine are currently “temporarily unavailable” in Belgium.
The unavailability was partially due to people abusing it to lose weight, but that is not the only reason, according to Storme. “It is also specified much more for diabetes than before because it is a lot more patient-friendly than other medications as it has to be administered less frequently.”
The drug has evolved so popular that a shortage is now on the horizon. “About three weeks ago, the institution that distributes the medicine, Novo Nordisk, therefore called on all doctors to prevent prescribing Ozempic for overweight and obese individuals without diabetes. We are now launching the same appeal,” stated Buyse of the Liga.
