The BC government has announced they will be further limiting the sale of certain diabetes medications because people have been misusing the products as weight loss drugs.
This has been driving down supply for those who really need these diabetes medications.
According to the Province, tirzepatide and dulaglutide, commonly known by the brand names Mounjaro and Trulicity, are now being singled out and limited as a result of this initiative.
These latest restrictions are in addition to the Province’s move in 2023, to limit the sale of semaglutide—also known as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus.
These products will no longer be sold to non-Canadian residents, in order to limit the impact of a supply shortage.
“Tirzepatide, dulaglutide and semaglutide are prescription drugs approved for the management of Type 2 diabetes, but their off-label use for weight loss is driving shortages of the drugs in several countries, including the United States,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.
“Our government is continuing to take action to ensure that people living with diabetes have reliable access to these essential medications.”
Going forward, these drugs, which now include tirzepatide and dulaglutide, can be purchased from BC pharmacies, online or in-person, but only by BC residents, Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Furthermore, BC pharmacists will not be able to sell tirzepatide, dulaglutide and semaglutides to people who are not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada and who are not at the pharmacy in person.
However, non-Canadians with valid prescriptions will still be able to access all these medications.
