THE Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has advised there is a new 3mL presentation of Ozempic (semaglutide) 0.25mg/ 0.5mg pre-filled pen now available and listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
It will gradually replace the 1.5mL presentation of the pre-filled pen, which will be discontinued in Dec 2025.
Both pre-filled pens deliver the same semaglutide dose - either 0.25mg or 0.5mg per dose.
However, the new 3mL pen is larger and injects a slightly larger volume per dose.
Both presentations are considered interchangeable to deliver either 0.25mg or 0.5mg of semaglutide per dose.
Both products also have the same approved indications, the same administration method and dosing instructions, and contain the same number of doses per pen.
At present, the two sizes are not interchangeable on the PBS, but the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is working to a-flag the two presentations and expects this to be in place on 01 July 2025.
Until them, if a patient presents a PBS prescription for the 1.5mL presentation and pharmacists only have access to the new 3mL presentation, patients will need a new PBS script for the 3mL presentation from their prescriber, or to pay for a private prescription.
Pharmacists are asked to inform patients that the new 3mL pre-filled pen presentation of Ozempic 0.25mg/0.5mg looks slightly different to the 1.5mL product they previously received, but it delivers the same dose of active ingredient, contains the same number of doses and has the same instructions for administration and dosing.
More info is available HERE.
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