Is Ozempic still in shortage?
No. Diabetes Australia said in July 2025 that Ozempic (semaglutide) stocks had recovered enough for doctors to start new patients again, ending a shortage that began in 2022. The TGA's last approvals to import overseas-labelled Ozempic lapsed on 13 January 2026. Your local pharmacy may still need time to restock.
What happened during the shortage?
The shortage began in 2022 after an unexpected rise in demand, and the TGA says illegal promotion of Ozempic contributed.1,2
It spilled over to Trulicity, another GLP‑1 medicine for diabetes.2 The TGA advised prescribers against starting new patients on Ozempic.3 It also let overseas-labelled Ozempic be supplied under temporary approvals, the last of which lapsed on 13 January 2026.4 Wegovy, the semaglutide brand for weight, launched in Australia on 5 August 2024, while the Ozempic shortage was still running.3
What does it mean now?
Doctors can prescribe Ozempic for new patients again, and existing patients can continue as normal, Diabetes Australia said.1
It advised checking with your pharmacist about local stock.1 Don't fill a gap from overseas websites: importing Ozempic-like products without a valid prescription is illegal, even for personal use.5 On the PBS, Ozempic is subsidised for type 2 diabetes only, and the first script needs an authority approval.6,7 For weight, see Can I get Ozempic for weight loss in Australia?
Did the shortage bring fakes?
Yes. The TGA reported counterfeit Ozempic pens in Australia in September 2024 and April 2025.4,8
The TGA advises using only products supplied through Australian pharmacies.9 Why compounded and “generic” semaglutide isn't the answer is in Is there a generic semaglutide in Australia?
What about Trulicity?
The TGA says the Ozempic shortage also contributed to shortages of alternatives such as Trulicity (dulaglutide).2
Trulicity is the other GLP‑1 medicine on the PBS for type 2 diabetes.6 We couldn't confirm the date its shortage ended from a TGA record, so ask your pharmacist about current stock before you need a new script.
Read the full picture
Related questions
Sources
- Diabetes Australia. Ozempic supply returning to normal in Australia, 23 Jul 2025. diabetesaustralia.com.au
- TGA. Advertising Ozempic and GLP-1 receptor agonists is prohibited. Updated 11 Mar 2025. tga.gov.au
- newsGP (RACGP). Wegovy launches in Australia, Aug 2024. racgp.org.au
- TGA. Search results for 'Ozempic supply' (section 19A approvals for overseas-labelled Ozempic). tga.gov.au
- TGA. What you need to know about compounded weight-loss medicines. Blog, 3 Jun 2024. tga.gov.au
- PBS. Restriction summary tables for type 2 diabetes medicines, 1 Apr 2025 (Attachment 3). pbs.gov.au (PDF)
- PBS. Type 2 diabetes pharmacotherapy diagram, at 1 Dec 2024. pbs.gov.au (PDF)
- TGA. Ozempic (semaglutide) safety collection. tga.gov.au
- TGA. TGA tests counterfeit retatrutide product following serious adverse event report. Safety advisory, 14 Sep 2026. tga.gov.au
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Next review due 12 Apr 2027 · Report an error
How this answer was made. Written by the GLP Guidebook team from the sources above, all checked on 12 Oct 2026. We don't publish medicine prices, and we don't name, rank or link to sellers or telehealth services. It's general information, not medical advice, and nothing here is an offer to supply any medicine. Talk to a GP, pharmacist or other qualified prescriber before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. How we write