Dulaglutide (Trulicity): Supply issue

Background

Overseas increases in demand for GLP-1 agonists, such as dulaglutide, have caused a global supply issue. Eli Lilly anticipates this will continue for the rest of 2023.

Eli Lilly’s statement about the shortage(external link)

Affected product

Chemical: dulaglutide
Brand: Trulicity
Supplier: Eli Lilly
Measure: Inj 1.5mg per 0.5 ml, prefilled pen
Pharmacode: 2617722

Pharmaceutical Schedule listing for dulaglutide(external link)

Alternative listed product

Chemical: liraglutide
Brand: Victoza
Supplier: Novo Nordisk
Measure: Inj 6 mg per ml, 3 ml prefilled pen
Pharmacode: 2653990

Pharmaceutical Schedule listing for liraglutide(external link)

Prescribers will need to submit a new Special Authority for people to change to liraglutide.

Consider prescribing liraglutide 

We are trying to preserve dulaglutide for people already taking it for type 2 diabetes, on advice from clinicians on our Diabetes Advisory Committee.

We have funded an alternative GLP-1 agonist, liraglutide (branded as Victoza). We strongly urge prescibers to consider this alternative medicine for all new patients. There are no current supply constraints for liraglutide.

Liraglutide requires a different Special Authority approval from dulaglutide.

• Initiating treatment with dulaglutide or liraglutide for type 2 diabetes - He Ako Hiringa(external link)
• Treatment algorithms, notes, and talking points - He Ako Hiringa(external link)
• Datasheet for liraglutide - Medsafe(external link)

Healthify has information for people using liraglutide for type 2 diabetes. This information is available in a range of languages:

• Liraglutide (Victoza) - Healthify(external link) 

People who take dulaglutide

From Friday 1 September, people will only be able to pick up one month’s supply of dulaglutide at a time. You will not need an extra prescription to pick up the remaining two months’ supply. It will not cost you anything extra.

By reducing the amount of dulaglutide you can pick up, we hope to avoid a complete out-of-stock situation.

The shortage will be variable from pharmacy to pharmacy due to differences in local and wholesaler supply.

Information for pharmacists

We appreciate all you are doing to support people through this supply issue. Thank you for reaching out to let us know about the problems you’re facing.

We are working on other possible changes to the Schedule to help manage supply. We will communicate as any decisions are made. 

Why is Pharmac acting now?

We have been relying on advice from Eli Lilly that there was enough stock to supply the New Zealand market.

We did not want to remove all-at-once (stat) dispensing until we absolutely had to. For two reasons:

1. We wanted to ensure there were as few barriers as possible for this medicine.
2. Monthly dispensing works well to extend supplies in the short term. We wanted to keep this measure until it would have the most impact.

Who to contact

If you have questions about this supply issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

If you have questions about stock, contact Eli Lilly(external link)

If you have questions about how to treat type 2 diabetes, talk to your health professional.

Notice first published: 30 September 2022