Skip to Main content

9.7°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Apr 19, 2023 8:15 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C. enacts regulation to ensure protection of Ozempic supply for diabetes patients

Share On

b-c-enacts-regulation-to-ensure-protection-of-ozempic-supply-for-diabetes-patients

The new regulation comes after the discovery that about 15 per cent of Ozempic prescriptions were being filled at two Vancouver locations for shipment to the United States (Photo: The Canadian Press)

British Columbia is bringing in a new regulation immediately to ensure diabetes patients don't face a shortage of the drug Ozempic, touted by celebrities for its weight loss side effects.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says the change will ensure patients in B.C. and Canada needing Ozempic to treat their Type 2 diabetes will continue to have access to that drug and others that may require it in the future.

Dix says the regulation will help prevent online or mail-order sales of Ozempic to people who do not live in Canada and who are not in B.C. to make a purchase.

The new regulation comes after the discovery that about 15 per cent of Ozempic prescriptions were being filled at two Vancouver locations for shipment to the United States.

Earlier this month, the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons suspended the licence of a doctor living in the United States who is believed to have written thousands of prescriptions for Ozempic, a drug some patients are seeking to help with weight loss.

The government says the BC College of Pharmacists will be responsible for ensuring its registrants comply with the new regulation.

Latest news

AlbertaMar 31, 2026

Alberta proposes blackout period for citizen-led referendum petitions around elections

Alberta’s government has introduced legislation that would restrict when citizens can launch petitions for constitutional or policy referendums, including a blackout period before and after provincial elections. Justice Minister Mickey Amery outlined the proposed changes in a bill now before the legislature. According to the minister, the bill would prohibit initiating referendum petitions in the 12 months leading up to, and the 12 months following, a provincial election. Amery said the intent is to ensure voters can focus on making decisions at the ballot box without overlapping referendum

nenshi-distances-alberta-ndp-from-new-federal-leader-avi-lewis-over-energy-policy-differences

FeaturedMar 31, 2026

Nenshi distances Alberta NDP from new federal leader Avi Lewis over energy policy differences

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says his party is not aligned with newly elected federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis on energy policy, following Lewis’s victory at the party’s national convention. Speaking at the Alberta legislature on Monday, Nenshi said the divide between the federal and provincial wings of the party on energy issues has existed for years. “It was important for Albertans to remember that for many years now, the New Democrats have not been fully aligned, particularly on energy policy,” he said. Lewis, a Vancouver-based filmmaker and activist, was elected Sunday in Winnipeg

police-investigate-suspected-extortion-linked-shots-fired-at-cloverdale-business

Police investigate suspected extortion-linked shots fired at Cloverdale business

Surrey RCMP’s Provincial Operations Support Unit is investigating after shots were fired at a business in the 5400 block of Production Boulevard, with police saying the incident is believed to be linked to extortion. According to RCMP, officers were called on March 30 at about 9 a.m. after a report that multiple gunshots had been fired sometime overnight. Investigators have since confirmed the shooting occurred at approximately 12:49 a.m. that morning. Police and the business owner reported damage to the exterior of the property. No one was inside the business at the time and no injuries wer

former-punjab-minister-laljit-singh-bhullar-remanded-for-three-more-days-in-suicide-case-probe

IndiaMar 30, 2026

Former Punjab minister Laljit Singh Bhullar remanded for three more days in suicide case probe

A court in Punjab has extended the police remand of former Aam Aadmi Party minister Laljit Singh Bhullar by three days after his initial five-day custody period ended. He was produced in court following the expiry of the earlier remand. According to police, investigators have not yet recovered key evidence, including a mobile phone, during questioning. Authorities told the court that further custodial interrogation is required as part of the ongoing investigation. Bhullar was arrested in connection with the death of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a district manager with the Punjab Warehousing Corpo

b-c-union-calls-for-expanded-work-from-home-policy-amid-rising-fuel-costs

B.C. union calls for expanded work-from-home policy amid rising fuel costs

The B.C. General Employees’ Union is urging the provincial government to allow full-time remote work for provincially regulated employees as fuel prices rise, citing financial pressure on workers. In a statement, the union – which represents about 35,000 public service workers among more than 95,000 members – said a temporary work-from-home policy would help offset costs linked to higher gasoline prices. The increase is tied to global supply concerns amid the ongoing Iran conflict, according to the union. The union also called on the province to consider additional relief measures for em

Related News

Police investigate suspected extortion-linked shots fired at Cloverdale business

Police investigate suspected extortion-linked shots fired at Cloverdale business

Surrey RCMP’s Provincial Operations Support Unit is investigating after shots were fired at a business in the 5400 block of Production Boulevard, with police saying the incident is believed to be linked to extortion. According to RCMP, officers were called on March 30 at about 9 a.m. after a report that multiple gunshots had been fired sometime overnight. Investigators have since confirmed the shooting occurred at approximately 12:49 a.m. that morning. Police and the business owner reported damage to the exterior of the property. No one was inside the business at the time and no injuries wer

B.C. union calls for expanded work-from-home policy amid rising fuel costs

B.C. union calls for expanded work-from-home policy amid rising fuel costs

The B.C. General Employees’ Union is urging the provincial government to allow full-time remote work for provincially regulated employees as fuel prices rise, citing financial pressure on workers. In a statement, the union – which represents about 35,000 public service workers among more than 95,000 members – said a temporary work-from-home policy would help offset costs linked to higher gasoline prices. The increase is tied to global supply concerns amid the ongoing Iran conflict, according to the union. The union also called on the province to consider additional relief measures for em

B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Fulmer signs electoral pact with OneBC’s Brodie

B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Fulmer signs electoral pact with OneBC’s Brodie

B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Yuri Fulmer has entered into a “unite the right” agreement with former Conservative MLA Dallas Brodie, aimed at preventing vote-splitting if Fulmer becomes leader of the Opposition. According to a joint statement released by the two camps, Brodie’s OneBC party would refrain from running candidates in 88 of British Columbia’s 93 ridings. In exchange, the Conservatives would not field candidates in five unspecified ridings. Brodie, who was removed from the Conservative caucus last year by then-leader John Rustad, said she is offering her “full sup

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital