GPs free to prescribe semaglutide as national supply issues resolve

GPs are free to prescribe semaglutide to all eligible patients in line with NICE guidelines after long-term shortages have been resolved.

An updated medicines supply notice published this month said the supply of glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) had now ‘largely improved’.

It continued that all strengths and presentations of semaglutide and dulaglutide are now available.

This time last year, the Primary Care Diabetes Society had updated guidance on prescribing of the drugs after warnings that national shortages would continue until the end of 2024.

GPs had been advised to select alternatives amidst supply disruptions to semaglutide, dulaglutide and liraglutide pre-filled injection pens of various strengths.

The latest update from the Specialist Pharmacy Service said given supply issues were now resolved ‘prescribers should consider prescribing GLP-1 RAs for patients within their licensed indications and in line with the relevant NICE guidelines’.

Tirzepatide was one option that had been suggested for patients where semaglutide was unavailable.

Clinicians had also been told they should only prescribe the medicines for their licensed indication and ‘proactively engage with’ and prioritise for review those patients who have been impacted by the shortages which have been happening since last summer.

GPs had told Pulse last summer of their anger over the shortages which were impacting vulnerable patients.

One practice in Sheffield said they had been told not to start new patients on them which ‘felt like a step back to the dark ages’.

Other drugs shortages, including for pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies with some intermittent problems also reported for some ADHD medications.

A report from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society had warned that medicines shortages were increasing professional tensions between GPs and pharmacists.

It called for a national policy on medicines shortages and other structural and practical changes including enabling community pharmacists to amend prescriptions. 

A survey of GPs in 2024 found that three quarters (74%) had experienced moral distress because they are unable to prescribe medicines patients need due to ongoing shortages.