LETTER: Diabetes drug shortage hurts the most vulnerable

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my deep concern about the increasing shortage of crucial medications for Type 2 diabetics and people living with obesity in Canada , specifically including Ozempic, Trulicity, and Mounjaro. This situation is causing significant distress and hardship for individuals who rely on these medications to manage their health effectively.

The current recommendations in place to manage this shortage are proving insufficient. Drugs intended for the Canadian market are being exported, further contributing to the scarcity of essential medications domestically. Furthermore, there are alarming reports of prescriptions being issued for non-health beneficial weight loss. Equally concerning is the observation that prescriptions are being written without the necessary doctor-patient relationship or in-person assessment, which goes against the fundamental principles of safe and effective healthcare.

This crisis hits especially hard for the 3.7 million Type 2 diabetics across Canada, with vulnerable individuals facing significant barriers in accessing alternative treatments or affording the escalating costs of care. This disproportionately affects seniors, indigenous people, and individuals from racialized communities, where diabetes rates are three to four times higher than the national average.

I urge your readers to join the call for action by supporting e-Petition e-4697 on the House of Commons website ourcommons.ca. This petition highlights the urgent need for the Federal, Provincial, and Territorial governments to address the systemic issues within the Canadian drug system. It requests targeted regulation to ensure that individuals in critical need of medication receive it promptly and consistently, particularly during times of shortage. Sign the petition at  ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-4697. 

Andrew Konecny

Ottawa