Impact of semaglutide and dulaglutide shortages on Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescriptions supplied for type 2 diabetes treatment.

ABSTRACT

METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed of actual and predicted (Holt-Winters modelling) semaglutide and dulaglutide prescriptions supplied by the Australian PBS and Repatriation PBS in 2021-22. RESULTS: Semaglutide prescriptions decreased by 17% in March - September 2022, whereas dulaglutide prescriptions increased by 53% in April - July 2022 before decreasing by 17% in August - September 2022. There were 119,069 fewer semaglutide and 31,953 more dulaglutide prescriptions supplied than predicted in April - July and June - July 2022, respectively. DISCUSSION: Changes in semaglutide and dulaglutide T2D prescription patterns in 2022 coincided with supply shortages. General practitioners are encouraged to continue to prescribe semaglutide and dulaglutide for their appropriate indication and support patients with alternative treatments during the shortage.