[1/2] A box of Ozempic, a semaglutide injection drug used for treating type 2 diabetes and made by Novo Nordisk, is seen at a Rock Canyon Pharmacy in Provo, Utah, U.S. March 29, 2023.
REUTERS/George Frey REFILE - CORRECTING MONTH/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Novo Nordisk A/S FollowBERLIN, Nov 15 (Reuters) - The head of Germany's drug regulator BfArM is considering an export ban on Novo Nordisk's (NOVOb.CO) diabetes drug Ozempic, which is in high demand for its weight-loss benefits, to prevent a further worsening of a supply shortage.
There is a risk of Ozempic being moved out of the country because it is cheaper there than in many other countries, BfArM president Karl Broich told Spiegel magazine.
"We know that some of the syringes that are supplied to Germany for our diabetes patients are channelled to other European countries or the United States," he told Spiegel on Wednesday.
We need the medication for the care of diabetes patients and not as a lifestyle drug."
Persons:
George Frey REFILE, Karl Broich, Spiegel, Miranda Murray, Ludwig Burger
Organizations:
Novo Nordisk, Pharmacy, REUTERS, Novo Nordisk's, Spiegel, Ludwig Burger Our, Thomson
Locations:
Provo , Utah, U.S, Germany, United States