GLP-1 shortages will not resolve this year, EMA warns, amid concern over off-label use

The ongoing shortage of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists such as semaglutide (marketed as Wegovy and Ozempic) is a “major public health concern” that is unlikely to be resolved in 2024, the European Medicines Agency has warned.

Speaking at a briefing on 26 June on how the EU is tackling these shortages, the EMA’s executive director, Emer Cooke, said, “Despite our collective efforts the shortages continue and there are no instant solutions, and we don't expect them to be resolved this year.”

As a result the EMA has issued recommendations for industry and healthcare professionals to try to reduce the negative effects of shortages on people with type 2 diabetes and obesity.1 These includes …