COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Docs in Denmark ought to restrict what number of packs of Novo Nordisk's Ozempic diabetes drug sufferers can choose up at one time, the Danish Affected person Security Authority stated on Monday, amid worries that some might purchase a bigger provide than wanted.
Neighbouring Norway in the meantime stated it will tighten restrictions on using Ozempic, requiring docs to hunt price reimbursements on behalf of every particular person affected person quite than an automated protection for all customers.
Demand for the diabetes remedy has spiked as some individuals take it for weight reduction because it incorporates the identical lively ingredient as Novo's fashionable Wegovy weight problems drug, semaglutide.
Each Novo and US rival Eli Lilly have struggled to maintain up with rampant demand for his or her weight reduction and associated diabetes medicines on account of the medication' recognition.
The Danish authority inspired docs to be conscious that some sufferers might accumulate extra Ozempic than could be anticipated for regular use, presumably to resell extra provides.
“Within the circumstances we now have reviewed, Ozempic has been prescribed for the related indication in accordance with the suggestions of the Danish Well being Authority,” the Affected person Security Authority stated.
“Nevertheless, the prescribing physicians haven’t at all times been sufficiently conscious that the drug could possibly be of curiosity to others than the affected person,” it added.
Denmark encourages docs to specify the quantity of Ozempic that sufferers might choose up on the pharmacy at anyone time on every prescription, and the way typically they may accomplish that inside a given time-frame, the company stated.
In Norway, particular person refund functions would turn into obligatory from July 1, the Norwegian Medical Merchandise Company stated in a press release.
“That is one in all a number of measures to supply higher entry to the medication for the sufferers who want it most,” it added.
The Danish Medicines Company in Might ordered docs, as of November, to prescribe cheaper medication to sufferers affected by kind 2 diabetes earlier than prescribing Ozempic and related GLP-1 counterparts, in an try to deal with hovering demand.
(Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen; modifying by Terje Solsvik, Ros Russell and Invoice Berkrot)
