Reference

Name

National Patient Safety Alert – Shortage of GLP-1 receptor agonists

Categories

Scottish Government

Organization

Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates

Keywords

NHS SCOTLAND HEALTH BOARDS NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY ALERT RECEPTOR AGONISTS SHORTAGE OBESITY

Description

There are very limited, intermittent supplies of all glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) NOTE A. Supplies are not expected to stabilise to meet full market demand until at least mid-2024. The supply issues have been caused by an increase in demand for these products for licensed and off-label indications. The off-label use of these agents for the management of obesity is strongly discouraged. Existing stock must be conserved for use in patients with diabetes. These shortages have serious clinical implications in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes. The clinical implications include erratic blood glucose control, with the potential to increase diabetes-related complications, including the risk of future cardiovascular events and diabatic ketoacidosis. Patients established on GLP-1 RA products may not be able to access products which could result in treatment failure and/or a loss of blood glucose control. Some patients established on GLP-1 RA therapy for type 2 diabetes may need to be switched to alternative treatments including insulin. Initiating insulin therapy requires training and education alongside a potential need for enhanced glucose monitoring to ensure patients are aware of how to recognise and manage hypoglycaemic events. Saxenda (liraglutide), a GLP-1 RA licensed for weight loss is unavailable until mid-2024.

Contact Name

Irene Fazakerley

Contact Email

Contact Address

Contact Phone

Created

2023-07-18 00:00:00

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