Ozempic Diabetes drug in short supply as its use for weight loss goes viral

Ozempic / semaglutide is in short supply and Ireland's Health Products Regulatory Authority has warned that the shortage of the diabetes drug is set to continue. Picture: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty

The Health Products Regulatory Authority has warned that shortages of diabetes drug Ozempic are to continue as supply is hit by social media-driven use in weight loss.

Ozempic (semaglutide) is approved by the HSE and other international health bodies only as treatment for Type II diabetes. However, the hashtag #Ozempic now has over one billion views on Tiktok, driving up demand worldwide.