Province Takes Action To Protect Supply Of Diabetes Drug In B.C.

The Province has enacted a new regulation to ensure that diabetes patients in B.C. do not experience a shortage of the diabetes drug, Ozempic.

“The immediate action we are taking today will ensure patients in British Columbia and Canada requiring Ozempic to treat their Type 2 diabetes can continue to access it,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.

“Through this new regulation, we will protect the supply of drugs in B.C. – not only for Ozempic, but for other drugs that may require it in the future.”

The drug is in a class of medications called incretin mimetics that help the pancreas release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high.

It’s being snatched up by many people in the United States, where it is touted as a weight loss drug, as weight loss is one of the side effects.

Through the new regulation, British Columbians, other Canadian citizens, and permanent residents can buy Ozempic through B.C. pharmacies both in person and online.

Others can only purchase the drug in person at a pharmacy.

The regulation will help prevent online or mail-order sales of Ozempic to people who do not reside in Canada and who are not in B.C. to make the purchase.

Two B.C. pharmacies filled more than 13-thousand of the 16-thousand prescriptions to Americans, which represents 88% of all prescriptions filled for U.S. residents in January and February of this year.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.