Ozempic shortage has disproportionate impact on N.W.T.’s Indigenous population – CBC

Nov 24, 2023

Territory has higher rates of Ozempic use than other jurisdictions, says N.W.T. medical director

A global shortage of a drug used for Type 2 diabetes is being felt in the N.W.T. and could disproportionately affect Indigenous people.

Ozempic has been in short supply in the N.W.T. since the early fall, with pharmacists scrambling to keep enough supply to serve existing patients. Novo Nordisk, the company that produces the drug, has told Health Canada the shortage will continue until March 2024.

The drug, administered through a weekly injection, has become increasingly popular for treatment of Type 2 diabetes, but the shortage has been exacerbated by its off-label popularity as a weight-loss drug.

“It’s certainly going to affect [N.W.T.] disproportionately,” said territorial medical director Dr. Claudia Kraft of the shortage.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/ozempic-shortage-nwt-1.7036500