Ozempic® Package Size Change
In March 2023, Novo Nordisk introduced a new pen size for the 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg dose of Ozempic®. The previous pen was a 1.5 mL and the new pen is 3 mL. All strengths of Ozempic® now come in 3 mL pens. Pharmacies have frequently asked how this change affects patients’ current prescriptions.
PAAS National® analysts recommend pharmacies…
NDC | Label Color | Dose Administered | Initial or Maintenance Dose | Number of Pens Per Box | Total mg per Box | Billing Quantity Per Box |
00169-4181-13 | Red | Pen delivers 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg only | Initial Dose (0.25 mg) or Maintenance Dose (0.5 mg) |
1 Pen | 2 mg | 3 mL |
00169-4130-13 | Blue | Pen delivers 1 mg only | Maintenance Dose | 1 Pen | 4 mg | 3 mL |
00169-4772-12 | Yellow | Pen delivers 2 mg only | Maintenance Dose | 1 Pen | 8 mg | 3 mL |
Pharmacies must also be aware of potential incorrect dosing instructions with injections like Ozempic® and Victoza®. The dose counters on these medications are measured by mg not mL, which can increase the risk of error. Additionally, the pens are not interchangeable, and patients must receive the pen that corresponds with the appropriate dose prescribed.
PAAS Tips:
- Be sure to utilize our Injectable Diabetic Medication Chart located on the PAAS Member Portal under Days’ Supply Charts
- Obtain a new prescription when dispensing the new package size
- Self-audit Ozempic® prescriptions to ensure they were correctly billed
- See PAAS Newsline article February 2022, Small Differences Between Prescription Directions and Patient Label Can Lead to BIG Recoupments
- See this month’s Newsline, Best Practices for Dispensing GLP-1 Medications
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