The ongoing global surge in demand for GLP-1 receptor agonists for both licensed and off-label indications continues to limit their availability in the UK. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency predicts that supply issues are unlikely to resolve before the end of 2024.
Although supplies of some GLP-1 RA preparations may be intermittent or exhausted within this time, there are now products available which can be used for new GLP-1 RA initiations and for switching people with type 2 diabetes who are unable to obtain their original GLP-1 RA medication. These agents include Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) and the novel first-in-class dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which is now available for use in the management of type 2 diabetes.
As a result of this, the PCDS and the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists have updated their joint guidance to assist healthcare professionals to overcome this particular challenge in the management of type 2 diabetes in adults.
The most recent update serves as a thorough guide to navigating the shortage, offering solutions to a range of dilemmas that could arise when treating a person who may benefit from a GLP-1 RA. Most importantly, it provides advice and tools to aid clinicians in selecting suitable alternatives to GLP-1 RAs where there is limited availability. It consolidates links to all essential documents and website references in one accessible location.
The following topics are covered:
● Prescribing and deprescribing advice for clinicians.
● Licensed indications for the use of alternative GLP-1 RAs or the dual GIP/GLP-1 RA tirzepatide.
● Suggested actions when GLP-1 RAs are unavailable.
● Practical and concise guidance for prescribers and patients for the administration and storage of medications.
● Important considerations in people with diabetic retinopathy, including a user-friendly pathway.
● Where insulin therapy is required.
● Advice for patients.
● Recommencing GLP-1 RAs when the shortage has passed.
● A table summary of the glucose-lowering agents currently licensed for use in the UK, by class.
Free for all UK & Ireland healthcare professionals
Sign up to all DiabetesontheNet journals
By clicking ‘Subscribe’, you are agreeing that DiabetesontheNet.com are able to email you periodic newsletters. You may unsubscribe from these at any time. Your info is safe with us and we will never sell or trade your details. For information please review our Privacy Policy.
Are you a healthcare professional? This website is for healthcare professionals only. To continue, please confirm that you are a healthcare professional below.
We use cookies responsibly to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your browser settings, we’ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on this website. Read about how we use cookies.
Diabetes &
Primary Care
Issue:
Early View
Updated guidance from the PCDS and ABCD: Managing the national GLP-1 RA shortage
The ongoing global surge in demand for GLP-1 receptor agonists for both licensed and off-label indications continues to limit their availability in the UK. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency predicts that supply issues are unlikely to resolve before the end of 2024.
Although supplies of some GLP-1 RA preparations may be intermittent or exhausted within this time, there are now products available which can be used for new GLP-1 RA initiations and for switching people with type 2 diabetes who are unable to obtain their original GLP-1 RA medication. These agents include Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) and the novel first-in-class dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which is now available for use in the management of type 2 diabetes.
As a result of this, the PCDS and the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists have updated their joint guidance to assist healthcare professionals to overcome this particular challenge in the management of type 2 diabetes in adults.
The most recent update serves as a thorough guide to navigating the shortage, offering solutions to a range of dilemmas that could arise when treating a person who may benefit from a GLP-1 RA. Most importantly, it provides advice and tools to aid clinicians in selecting suitable alternatives to GLP-1 RAs where there is limited availability. It consolidates links to all essential documents and website references in one accessible location.
The following topics are covered:
● Prescribing and deprescribing advice for clinicians.
● Licensed indications for the use of alternative GLP-1 RAs or the dual GIP/GLP-1 RA tirzepatide.
● Suggested actions when GLP-1 RAs are unavailable.
● Practical and concise guidance for prescribers and patients for the administration and storage of medications.
● Important considerations in people with diabetic retinopathy, including a user-friendly pathway.
● Where insulin therapy is required.
● Advice for patients.
● Recommencing GLP-1 RAs when the shortage has passed.
● A table summary of the glucose-lowering agents currently licensed for use in the UK, by class.
How to diagnose and treat hypertension in adults with type 2 diabetes
Diabetes Distilled: Statin heart benefits outweigh diabetes risks
Interactive case study: Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia – Prediabetes
Diabetes Distilled: Smoking cessation cuts excess mortality rates after as little as 3 years
Impact of Freestyle Libre 2 on diabetes distress and glycaemic control in people on twice-daily pre-mixed insulin
Updated guidance from the PCDS and ABCD: Managing the national GLP-1 RA shortage
Diabetes Distilled: Fib-4 – A diagnostic and prognostic marker for liver and cardiovascular events and mortality
Diagnosing and treating hypertension in accordance with updated NICE guidelines.
24 Apr 2024
Quantifying the risk of worsening glycaemia, and how should healthcare professionals respond?
22 Apr 2024
Diagnosing and managing non-diabetic hyperglycaemia.
17 Apr 2024
The mortality benefits of smoking cessation may be greater and accrue more rapidly than previously understood.
2 Apr 2024