UK Pharmacies Grapple With Shortage Of 'Miracle' Weight Loss Drug Ozempic — Lives Of Diabetic Patients At Risk

Pharmacies in Wiltshire, U.K. are facing a “very short supply” of the Type 2 diabetes drug, Ozempic (Semaglutide), BBC reports.

Shortage Until Mid-2024: The U.K. Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that the country is experiencing a shortage of the drug and it may not be resolved “until at least mid-2024”. The drug is becoming popular globally after celebrities like the Kardashians and Elon Musk have been associated with it as their secret for weight loss. But the drug’s supply is not meeting the current demand for the ‘miracle’ weight loss drug.

Pharmacist Ali Abass expressed his concern, stating, “There is no alternative for most of these patients. A lot of people can’t use anything else.”

See Also: Expert Warns Miracle Weight Loss Drug Ozempic Might Require Lifelong Use: Are You Prepared?

Concerns for Patients: Patients like Marie Indge are “very worried” as Ozempic is the only drug that works for them. Indge only has about two months’ supply left and is concerned about finding a medication that supports the management of her condition.

Conserving Existing Stock: The N.H.S. England and medicines regulator, the M.H.R.A., have urged that “existing stock must be conserved” for people living with diabetes. The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) confirmed that the supply of these medications would not return until next year.

Read Next: Ozempic Alternatives: These Two Drugs Show Promise in Affordability and Effectiveness for Weight Loss

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