GLP-1 agonist shortage will last until end of 2024, government warns

The supply of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists is not expected to return to normal until at least the end of 2024, the Department of Health and Social Care for England has warned,1 given the shortages caused by increased demand and off-label use.Clinicians have been told not to prescribe GLP-1 agonists licensed for type 2 diabetes for off-label indications. “Existing stock must be conserved for patients with T2DM to mitigate the risk of impaired access to treatment and increased risk in diabetes related complications,” the national patient safety alert said.The government previously issued a warning in June last year, strongly discouraging the off-label use of GLP-1 agonists for the management of obesity, because of supply problems.2 However, liraglutide and semaglutide “remain available on the NHS via specialist weight management services,” the latest alert has said.Semaglutide tabletsDespite the ongoing supply issues across the class of drugs, clinicians have been told that…
Read Original Article: GLP-1 agonist shortage will last until end of 2024, government warns »