Novo Nordisk, the Danish drug manufacturer, has launched Wegovy, a weight-loss drug, in the UK market. This semaglutide injection will be available
through specialist NHS weight management services for those who meet the National Institute for Care and Excellence (NICE) criteria or privately through
registered healthcare professionals.
Novo Nordisk allocated a portion of the available supply of Wegovy for NHS services, while confirming the existing shortage of semaglutide and projecting
continued constraints in the foreseeable future. The drug can be obtained through the NHS and is additionally accessible for private purchase at pharmacies in the UK.
The pricing for a one-month supply varies, ranging from £73.25 to £175.80, depending on the dosage.
"We are committed to expanding treatment options for individuals with obesity and share the Government's goal of improving access to obesity care in areas of high
unmet medical need," the company said in a statement. "We are closely monitoring Wegovy demand and collaborating with regulators and providers to ensure access
to and continuity of treatment for people living with obesity."
Amid the rapid rise in semaglutide usage, a study has suggested a potential risk of a rare eye condition associated with the weight loss drug.
Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), is available under the brand name Ozempic (by Novo Nordisk) in a lower-dose form for managing
type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and as Wegovy (also by Novo Nordisk) in a higher-dose form for weight management in patients with high body mass indexes.
Anecdotal evidence has indicated that semaglutide might be linked to nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
To investigate this potential connection, researchers in the United States analysed data over a six-year period from nearly 17,000 neuro-ophthalmology patients at
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, all of whom had no prior history of NAION.
Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk said on Tuesday (Aug 8) a large study had shown the highly effective obesity treatment also had a clear cardiovascular benefit,
boosting the Danish company's hopes of moving beyond its image as a lifestyle drug.
The increasingly popular Wegovy has transformed the weight-loss market since its U.S. launch in June 2021, capturing the attention of patients, investors and
celebrities worldwide.
Novo's news lifted shares in Europe's second-most valuable listed company after LVMH by more than 17 per cent to record highs. They have now surged almost 165
per cent over the past two years.
The results of the late-stage trial may help persuade insurers in the U.S. and cost-conscious health authorities in Europe to cover the cost of Wegovy, which is
$1,300 a month in the United States, for a wider range of patients.
U.S. law classifies weight-loss treatments as lifestyle drugs and bars the Medicare health plan for older Americans from covering them and experts said the new
data could lead the U.S. government to reassess that.
A diabetes medicine, Mounjaro, has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to treat overweight patients.
The weight loss medication originally developed for Type 2 diabetes is now accessible to individuals aged 18 and over who are dealing with obesity and
weight-related health issues.
The active ingredient, tirzepatide, works by making the patient feel fuller and reducing food cravings.
The injection helps individuals lose 20 per cent of their body weight, and are advised to follow a reduced-calorie diet and increase physical activity
simultaneously.
Although it is not authorised to use on the NHS as yet but future approvals can be predicted.