1. Pink Sheet
  2. >>Geography
  3. >>Asia
  4. >>Japan

Japan Faces GLP-1 Shortage As Off-Label Diet Use Surges

Grey Areas Between Regulations

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Despite repeated warnings by regulatory authorities and physicians’ associations, the demand for easy diet aids is impacting the supply of GLP-1 receptor antagonists in Japan.

The shortage suffers legal dilemma of off label use of drugs or use of unapproved drugs.
Japan GLP-1 shortages grow due to legal grey area of off-label use • Source: Shutterstock

Japan is facing a supply shortage of GLP-1 receptor antagonists for type 2 diabetes due to their off-label use as diet drugs, prompting the main manufacturers to restrict supplies and calls for their use only in officially approved indications.

Because of the high overall demand, both Novo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly and Company have had to limit or even stop providing their respective drugs, Ozempic Subcutaneous Injection SD (semaglutide) and Mounjaro

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Pink Sheet for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Japan

Japan Looks To Build Domestic Capacity In New Modalities

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japan's trade ministry is providing new support to build domestic capacity for new modalities including cell and gene therapies, as part of wider efforts to support the national bioventure ecosystem.

Japan Identifies Drugs ‘In Urgent Need’ Of Development

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Artesunate for malaria, TB drug pretomanid and omadacycline for pneumonia and skin infections are among the drugs identified by Japanese regulatory authorities in urgent need of domestic development.

Japan Pushes Generic Industry Reforms Via New Govt Fund

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Amid ongoing generic drug supply problems, Japan's government is to set up a new fund to support corporate investments geared towards manufacturing and consolidation.

Japan Expands Priority R&D List For Regular Vaccinations

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japan adds four new pediatric vaccines, including for MMRV and norovirus, to a list of priority vaccines eligible for assistance in regulatory processing.

More from Asia

Japan Looks To Build Domestic Capacity In New Modalities

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japan's trade ministry is providing new support to build domestic capacity for new modalities including cell and gene therapies, as part of wider efforts to support the national bioventure ecosystem.

Pipeline To Product – What Is Driving Cell And Gene Therapy Progress In India?

 
• By Vibha Ravi

US-based Colossal Labs has claimed to bring back the dire wolf from extinction. While the science is not as dramatic in India yet, cell and gene therapies are making progress as treatments for cancer and other diseases. Pink Sheet takes a look at what is driving CGT success and growth.

Japan Identifies Drugs ‘In Urgent Need’ Of Development

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Artesunate for malaria, TB drug pretomanid and omadacycline for pneumonia and skin infections are among the drugs identified by Japanese regulatory authorities in urgent need of domestic development.