Victoza - supply shortage
Ongoing
liraglutide
ShortageHuman
Shortage information
Victoza is a medicine used in addition to diet and exercise in adults and children from 10 years of age who have type 2 diabetes. Victoza is used:
- on its own when use of metformin (another medicine for type 2 diabetes) is not recommended;
- as an ‘add-on’ to other diabetes medicines.
The active substance in Victoza, liraglutide, is a ‘GLP-1 receptor agonist’ (GLP-1 RA).
Increased demand for Victoza coupled with the marketing authorisation holder’s (Novo Nordisk) decision to temporarily reduce in Q4 2023 the supply of Victoza has led to a shortage of the medicine. Although the supply of Victoza has improved in EU/EEA countries since Q1 2024, some countries still experience intermittent shortages which are expected to continue until at least the end of 2024.
The supply shortage is not related to a quality defect of the product or a safety issue.
The shortage affects currently Austria, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Sweden.
For up-to-date information about the status of a medicine shortage in a particular Member State, consult the national shortage register or contact the national competent authority.
EMA’s SPOC working party is closely monitoring the supply situation and engaging with the marketing authorisation holder and other stakeholders to facilitate measures to mitigate the impact of the supply shortage.
The SPOC working party is responsible for monitoring and reporting events that could affect the supply of medicines in the EU. Summaries of the SPOC working party meetings can be found on EMA’s website.
- Increased demand for Victoza and the decision by the marketing authorisation holder to temporarily reduce the production of Victoza have led to shortages.
- Although the supply of Victoza has improved since Q1 2024, some countries still experience intermittent shortages. The shortages are expected to continue until at least the end of 2024. To ensure people who are already using Victoza can continue their treatment, the advice previously given still holds:
- No new patients should be started on Victoza so that available supplies can be used to continue treatment of patients currently on Victoza.
- If Victoza is not available for patients currently using Victoza, healthcare professionals should safely switch these patients to another injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist or another suitable alternative based on clinical judgement and relevant national or local guidelines.
- A delay in switching may result in patients missing the required doses, which could have clinical consequences such as hyperglycaemia.
- A direct healthcare professional communication (DHPC) has been sent to relevant healthcare professionals.
- Additional advice may be available from your country’s national shortage register or national competent authority.
- Increased demand for Victoza and the decision by the marketing authorisation holder to temporarily reduce the production of Victoza have led to shortages of Victoza.
- Although the supply of Victoza has improved since the Q1 of 2024, some countries are still experiencing intermittent shortages. The shortages are expected to continue until at least the end of 2024. To ensure patients who are already using Victoza can continue their treatment, healthcare professionals are still being advised not to start new patients on Victoza.
- If you are at risk of running out of Victoza, you may need to switch to another treatment (injectable GLP-1 RA). You should make an appointment with your healthcare professional well before your current supply runs out to discuss the need to switch.
- A delay in switching may cause you to miss doses, which could lead to high blood sugar levels. If you have any questions, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
- Additional advice may be available from your country’s national shortage register or national competent authority.
Key facts
- Medicines affected
- Victoza
- Supply shortage status
- Ongoing
- International non-proprietary name (INN) or common name
- liraglutide
- Therapeutic area (MESH)
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
- Pharmaceutical forms affected
- Pre-filled pen
- Strengths affected
- 6 mg/ml
- Availability of alternatives
- Yes
Key dates
- Expected resolution
- Shortage will last at least until the end of 2024
- First published
- Last updated