August 02, 2024

Ozempic-Like Weight Loss Drug to Arrive in Australian Pharmacies

A new drug mimicking the popular weight loss medicine Ozempic will be available in Australian pharmacies within days. Both Ozempic and Wegovy are produced by Novo Nordisk and contain the same active ingredient, Semaglutide. This ingredient mimics a hormone released by the gut after eating, helping to reduce cravings and control hunger.

Similar to Ozempic, the drug is administered through a once-weekly pen but contains a higher amount of Semaglutide. While Ozempic is approved only for managing type 2 diabetes, Wegovy is designed to manage chronic weight conditions.

Approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) since 2022, the drug is intended for weight loss and management in obese or overweight individuals, in conjunction with increased exercise and a reduced-calorie diet. However, it has not been sold in Australia until now.

Wegovy will not be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and cost details are yet to be announced. In the United States, a 28-day pack of the medicine costs approximately US$1349.02 (AU$2064.23).

The drug's introduction comes amid a supply shortage of Ozempic, which Novo Nordisk has indicated will continue throughout 2024. Additionally, in May, the Australian government banned chemist-made copycat versions of Ozempic due to severe side effects such as nerve damage, bleeding gums, severe diarrhea, vomiting blood, and rashes.