Americans to Be Barred From Buying Ozempic in British Columbia

The ministry is also asking doctors and pharmacists to make sure people are taking the drug for its approved use of treating diabetes. The drug isn’t approved in Canada as a weight-loss treatment.

Ozempic, which is sold by Danish drugmaker

Novo Nordisk SA,

has been in shortage across the country, according to Health Canada. People with diabetes in British Columbia aren’t seeing a shortage to date, but continued American buying would quickly diminish stocks, said

Adrian Dix,

British Columbia’s health minister. 

“We are ensuring the continued availability of Ozempic,” said Mr. Dix, in an interview. “We don’t want to become a supplier for the U.S. market.”

U.S. residents made up almost a fifth of the patients who bought Ozempic in the province in January and February, according to provincial data. They purchased 15% of all Ozempic dispensed in the province during that period, compared with an average 0.4% of other drugs during the same period. 

Ozempic is only approved to treat Type 2 diabetes in the U.S. and Canada, but studies have found its main ingredient can help people safely lose weight. After word of its weight-loss benefits spread in recent months, the drug emerged as a popular remedy for people looking to cut pounds.

Novo Nordisk hasn’t been able to keep up with demand, leading to shortages that have made it difficult for people with diabetes to control their blood-sugar levels.

Health Canada had listed 1 mg doses of Ozempic as being in shortage earlier this month, but removed the classification earlier this week. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration lists 2 mg doses of the Ozempic as having limited availability.

Novo Nordisk sells a drug, called Wegovy and made with the same main ingredient as Ozempic, that is approved for use to lose weight, but Wegovy has been in short supply, too.

Until British Columbia’s restrictions, it was relatively easy for buyers from the U.S. to obtain Ozempic in the province. The Americans could use a prescription from a U.S. doctor to get the drug from at least some pharmacies.

 “We don’t have enough Ozempic in British Columbia to satisfy the American market,” Mr. Dix said.

Canadian pharmacies also offer a lower price than their U.S. counterparts. In Canada, Marks Marine Pharmacy, a Vancouver, British Columbia, based pharmacy, sells Ozempic pens for $350.00 online. The drug lists for $892 a pen in the U.S., Novo Nordisk said.

Novo Nordisk said it supports efforts by the British Columbia government to protect the supply of Ozempic for Canadians living with diabetes, and has been working with it to limit sales to non-Canadians. The company also said it is working with Health Canada to find a national solution and manage Ozempic supply in Canada.

—Peter Loftus contributed to this article.

Write to Vipal Monga at [email protected]

The ministry is also asking doctors and pharmacists to make sure people are taking the drug for its approved use of treating diabetes. The drug isn’t approved in Canada as a weight-loss treatment.

Ozempic, which is sold by Danish drugmaker

Novo Nordisk SA,

has been in shortage across the country, according to Health Canada. People with diabetes in British Columbia aren’t seeing a shortage to date, but continued American buying would quickly diminish stocks, said

Adrian Dix,

British Columbia’s health minister. 

“We are ensuring the continued availability of Ozempic,” said Mr. Dix, in an interview. “We don’t want to become a supplier for the U.S. market.”

U.S. residents made up almost a fifth of the patients who bought Ozempic in the province in January and February, according to provincial data. They purchased 15% of all Ozempic dispensed in the province during that period, compared with an average 0.4% of other drugs during the same period. 

Ozempic is only approved to treat Type 2 diabetes in the U.S. and Canada, but studies have found its main ingredient can help people safely lose weight. After word of its weight-loss benefits spread in recent months, the drug emerged as a popular remedy for people looking to cut pounds.

Novo Nordisk hasn’t been able to keep up with demand, leading to shortages that have made it difficult for people with diabetes to control their blood-sugar levels.

Health Canada had listed 1 mg doses of Ozempic as being in shortage earlier this month, but removed the classification earlier this week. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration lists 2 mg doses of the Ozempic as having limited availability.

Novo Nordisk sells a drug, called Wegovy and made with the same main ingredient as Ozempic, that is approved for use to lose weight, but Wegovy has been in short supply, too.

Until British Columbia’s restrictions, it was relatively easy for buyers from the U.S. to obtain Ozempic in the province. The Americans could use a prescription from a U.S. doctor to get the drug from at least some pharmacies.

 “We don’t have enough Ozempic in British Columbia to satisfy the American market,” Mr. Dix said.

Canadian pharmacies also offer a lower price than their U.S. counterparts. In Canada, Marks Marine Pharmacy, a Vancouver, British Columbia, based pharmacy, sells Ozempic pens for $350.00 online. The drug lists for $892 a pen in the U.S., Novo Nordisk said.

Novo Nordisk said it supports efforts by the British Columbia government to protect the supply of Ozempic for Canadians living with diabetes, and has been working with it to limit sales to non-Canadians. The company also said it is working with Health Canada to find a national solution and manage Ozempic supply in Canada.

—Peter Loftus contributed to this article.

Write to Vipal Monga at [email protected]