Victoza - supply shortage
Ongoing
liraglutide
Shortage
Human
Shortage information
The company Novo Nordisk will stop marketing Victoza across the EU/EEA (European Union/European Economic Area) by the end of 2026. There may be a risk of short-term intermittent shortages in some countries until the product is no longer marketed.
Victoza is a medicine used in addition to diet and exercise in adults and children from 10 years of age who have type 2 diabetes.
Victoza is used:
- on its own when use of metformin (another medicine for type 2 diabetes) is not recommended;
- as an ‘add-on’ to other diabetes medicines.
The active substance in Victoza, liraglutide, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA).
For further information on the use of the medicine, please refer to the medicine’s overview page.
There were shortages of Victoza in some countries starting in 2023 and 2024 due to a temporary supply reduction and increase in demand. These have now been resolved.
Separately, Novo Nordisk has decided to stop marketing Victoza across the EU/EEA by the end of 2026.
Timelines vary from country to country, but the discontinuation will be completed in all EU Member States by December 2026.
Due to the discontinuation, there may be a risk of short-term intermittent shortages in some countries until the medicine is no longer marketed.
The discontinuation is for commercial reasons and not a consequence of any safety or quality-related issue.
Short-term intermittent shortages may affect some countries where Victoza is marketed.
For up-to-date information about the status of a medicine shortage in a particular Member State, consult the national shortage register or contact the national competent authority.
EMA’s Executive Steering Group on Shortages and Safety of Medicinal Products (MSSG) and EMA’s shortages working party (Medicines Shortages Single Point of Contact – SPOC - working party) are closely monitoring the supply situation and engaging with the marketing authorisation holder to mitigate the impact of the supply shortage.
The SPOC Working Party supports EMA’s MSSG and monitors and reports events that could affect the supply of medicines in the EU.
• A medicine shortage communication (MSC) has been sent to relevant healthcare professionals in affected Member States and is also available on the EMA website.
• The MSC includes recommended mitigation measures for healthcare professionals.
• For additional information, consult your country’s shortage register or contact your national competent authority.
• No new patients will be prescribed Victoza.
• If you are already using Victoza, your healthcare professional will discuss suitable alternative GLP 1 RAs or other suitable medicines with you.
• Contact your doctor well before your current supply runs out to ensure you do not miss any doses. Missing doses could lead to high blood sugar levels and cause health problems.
• For additional information, consult your country’s shortage register or contact your national competent authority.
• You may also contact relevant patients’ organisations for further information or support. A list of European not-for-profit organisations that EMA engages with can be found on the EMA website.
Key facts
- Medicines affected
- Victoza
- Supply shortage status
- Ongoing
- International non-proprietary name (INN) or common name
- liraglutide
- Therapeutic area (MESH)
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
- Pharmaceutical forms affected
- Pre-filled pen
- Strengths affected
- 6 mg/ml
- Availability of alternatives
- Yes
Key dates
- First published
- Last updated