Drug supply relief hits a brick wall

Attempts to resuscitate the supply of urgently needed diabetes medications has hit a brick wall over the price of emergency supplies of imported products.

Public Summary Documents reveal that despite two out-of-session PBAC meetings, a standoff has emerged between the Committee and Medsurge Healthcare, supplier of the imported product.

The TGA has given temporary authorisation for Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Ozempic and Eli Lilly's Trulicity to be imported from overseas in a bid to address the shortage.