Wednesday, February 4, 2026
ADVT 
National

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

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Apr, 2023 12:18 PM
  • B.C. enacts regulation to ensure protection of Ozempic supply for diabetes patients

The B-C government is taking immediate action to ensure diabetes patients have access to the drug Ozempic, which is highly effective at controlling blood sugar levels but has been overwhelmed by celebrity interest in its potent weight loss side-effects.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says the ministry is enacting a new regulation to protect not only the supply of Ozempic in B-C, but other drugs that may need the same protection in future.

The new regulation means only B-C residents, other Canadian citizens or permanent residents can buy Ozempic at provincial pharmacies – either in person or online.

The changes come after the discovery that 15 per cent of Ozempic prescriptions in the province were being filled by two Vancouver pharmacies for shipment to the United States.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. councillor resigns, called mayor 'Mr. Hitler'

B.C. councillor resigns, called mayor 'Mr. Hitler'
At a March 20 meeting, Smyth took issue with a decision not to livestream advisory committee meetings about an official community plan or release committee members' CVs. Smyth said the move was done in a "very political way," something that was denied by Mayor Peter Jones who said it was a "practical approach" before ending questions.

B.C. councillor resigns, called mayor 'Mr. Hitler'

B.C. to secure access to drug of social media fame

B.C. to secure access to drug of social media fame
 Adrian Dix said in January that the government would be investigating why almost 10 per cent of prescriptions for the drug in B.C. were filled for American citizens. Dix said at the time that the dramatic increase in demand for the diabetes drug was partly because of social media "influencers" who spoke about its weight loss benefits.

B.C. to secure access to drug of social media fame

Unprecedented construction needed in B.C.: Report

Unprecedented construction needed in B.C.: Report
The province must build 25 per cent more new homes than usual for the next five years to address deteriorating housing affordability. The association said construction needs to be ramped up to a record 43,000 housing completions a year for the next five years to counteract rapid population growth.

Unprecedented construction needed in B.C.: Report

32 year old Inderdeep Singh Gosal charged with murder in Vancouver Starbucks stabbing

32 year old Inderdeep Singh Gosal charged with murder in Vancouver Starbucks stabbing
Police say the stabbing happened Sunday after a brief altercation between two men outside the coffee shop in the city's downtown core. 32 year old Inderdeep Singh Gosal is accused of second-degree murder.    

32 year old Inderdeep Singh Gosal charged with murder in Vancouver Starbucks stabbing

Dog, cat custody to be built into B.C. laws

Dog, cat custody to be built into B.C. laws
Attorney General Niki Sharma says amendments she introduced in B.C.'s legislature will clarify the law around pets, property and pensions for couples and families going through a separation or divorce.

Dog, cat custody to be built into B.C. laws

Canada goose population 'havoc' on B.C. park space

Canada goose population 'havoc' on B.C. park space
The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation wants the public to report a nest sighting so staff can replace the eggs with ones that have been frozen to help control the population. Vancouver is an ideal habitat for the birds, with few natural predators and plenty of newly seeded fields and lawns.

Canada goose population 'havoc' on B.C. park space