SCOTS diabetes patients are being denied vital drugs because it’s being used privately for fat-loss jabs instead, we can reveal.
Patients have been told supplies of drugs like Liraglutide and Ozempic are so low they don’t know when they will get more in – with fears they won’t be replenished for at least another year.
GettyA shortage of drugs like Ozempic has been hitting Diabetes patients across Scotland[/caption]
OZEMPICThe drug has been used for weight loss[/caption]
Diabetes ScotlandJohn Kinnear, the National Director of Diabetes Scotland, said the situation is causing “stress and uncertainty.”[/caption]
Pharmacists have been told to prioritise the drugs they have for people with the worst cases of diabetes.
The drugs – known as GLP-1’s – have seen a global soar in demand from both public and private patients for weight-loss treatment after going viral online, taking away supply from those with type-2 diabetes.
The trend, made popular by influencers on Instagram and TikTok, has been endorsed by celebs like Amy Schumer and Boris Johnson who use the jabs as an appetite suppressant.
In a column, the former Prime Minister said: “For weeks I jabbed my stomach, and for weeks it worked.
“Effortlessly, I pushed aside the puddings and the second helpings. I must have been losing four or five pounds a week — maybe more.”
The shortage has sparked worries among Scotland’s diabetics who have been left without the crucial medications.
One patient told The Scottish Sun: “We need this to live and we’ve been told there’s absolutely nothing. We are terrified.”
A pharmacist source added: “There’s been such an increase in demand from the public and private sector.
“People are getting these privately as a quick-fix weight-loss jag, it’s all the trend these days.
“You see stories about celebrities getting it and that’s just filtered through into supply issues. So when those people are using it all up, then people who really need it face the brunt.
“We’ve been told it might not be until mid-2024 that stocks are back to normal.”
As of March this year, around 300,000 people across Scotland have Type 2 diabetes and around 35,000 have Type 1.
“We need this to live and we’ve been told there’s absolutely nothing. We are terrified.”
Scots Diabetes patient
John Kinnear, the National Director of Diabetes Scotland, called the shortages – which are predicted to continue until at least mid-2024 – “a major concern.”
He added: “The situation is causing considerable stress and uncertainty for those affected and, in cases where no other alternatives are suitable, people are being moved on to insulin – which can be challenging to manage and requires additional time from healthcare professionals to support people to use it.”
“All existing stock must be conserved for people with type 2 diabetes and it is vital that the supply of these medications into the NHS is drastically improved before the winter, when NHS resources come under even more strain.”
Meanwhile, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society said: “It’s important there is enough long-term supply for all patients who are being treated for their diabetes with it, but it is also important for people with obesity who meet the criteria for treatment to have access to appropriate weight loss medicines.”
“The situation is causing considerable stress and uncertainty”
John Kinnear, National Director of Diabetes Scotland
The Convener of the Holyrood cross-party group on Diabetes Paul O’Kane said this “deeply concerning” shortage “shouldn’t be happening in the first place.
He said: “Any kind of shortage of medications which treat health conditions is deeply concerning.
“The Scottish Government should be exploring every possible way to bring an end to these shortages well before the supposed estimation of mid-2024.
“The Scottish Government has offered guidance on how to mitigate the impact of shortages in the meantime, which is welcome, but this situation shouldn’t be happening in the first place.
“Scottish Labour has been very clear about the importance of being able to monitor the control and provision of medications, which is why we have previously proposed an NHS Drug Procurement Board to do just that and at a UK level have set out proposals to improve NHS procurement overall.
“This situation shouldn’t be happening in the first place.”
Paul O’Kane MSP, Co-convenor of Holyrood group on Diabetes
“The needs of people living with diabetes and people attempting to lose weight shouldn’t negatively impact each other, there should be enough of a supply to treat both.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson stressed there are “global supply issues”, but added: “Occasionally, the NHS does experience temporary shortages of specific medicines.
“Medicine supply problems can occur for a number of reasons, such as manufacturing difficulties, regulatory issues, problems with the supply of raw materials, sudden demand spikes or product distribution complications.
“The Scottish Government has well-established procedures to deal with medicine supply issues and work closely with industry, the NHS and others to prevent shortages and resolve any disruptions as soon as possible.”
GettyOne Diabetes patient said they have been left feeling “terrified”[/caption]
GettyPaul O’Kane MSP said this “deeply concerning” situation “shouldn’t be happening in the first place”[/caption]
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