Novo Nordisk is temporarily reducing the supply of Wegovy (semaglutide), a GLP-1 receptor agonist approved in June 2021 as a once-weekly self-injection for weight control in people with obesity, due to production problems at one of the company’s contract manufacturing sites. Semaglutide had previously been approved for type 2 diabetes under the brand name Ozempic.
 
Production problems encountered in August 2022 led to a growing gap between the burgeoning demand for Wegovy and Novo Nordisk’s supply.
 
The company has since taken steps to scale its production capacity, but “to safeguard continuity of care, the supply of the lower Wegovy dose strengths in the U.S. will be reduced temporarily,” according to a company statement.
 
A second contract manufacturer for Wegovy initiated production in April 2023, and while patients will still have access to lower doses of the drug, it might require a longer wait.