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Compounding pharmacists will be banned from producing replica versions of diabetes drugs such as Ozempic which are often used off-label for weight loss, the federal government announced today.
Under current regulations, compounding pharmacists are allowed to individually reproduce brand name drugs when they are in short supply, enabling them to be legally copied.
That means they are not subjected to the same safety regulations governing medicine approvals.
Today, Health Minister Mark Butler announced that from October the replica versions will be banned.
The decision comes after some patients reported side effects, such as severe vomiting and nerve damage.
At least 20,000 people are believed to be using the copycat drugs due to a shortage of the branded products.
Butler said the ban was needed to "protect Australians from harm and save lives".
"Australians should be able to have faith in the medications they use, including compounded medicines. This is a priority for the government," he said.
"We recognise there is a valid place for compounding in certain circumstances."
Ozempic is made by pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk and has the active ingredient semaglutide.
Semaglutide mimics the effect of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which instigates insulin production – hence its use as Ozempic as a diabetes treatment.
However, that same hormone also works as an appetite suppressant, leading to Ozempic's off-label use for weight loss.
Promotion on social media and rumours of celebrities using Ozempic sparked the popularity of the drug as a weight loss treatment over recent months.