A limited supply of the weight-loss drug Wegovy has become available to patients in the UK through NHS specialists. Wegovy, along with Saxenda and Ozempic, is sold by Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk and belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. Starting from September 4, Wegovy will be prescribed through specialist NHS weight management services, in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise.
Earlier this year, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommended the use of semaglutide (brand name Wegovy) for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35 and one weight-related health condition. However, Nice stated that the jabs should not be taken for more than two years. In contrast, researchers at Ulster University suggested that obese individuals should be prepared to take weight-loss jabs for life.
Wegovy works by signaling the brain to reduce hunger and trigger feelings of fullness. It also prompts the pancreas to release insulin. Health Secretary Steve Barclay expressed his desire for the NHS to be at the forefront of dispensing weight-loss drugs.
The NHS’s decision to offer Wegovy comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a two-year pilot program to explore the expansion of specialist weight management services outside hospitals, with the aim of making approved drugs more accessible to a larger population.
Novo Nordisk noted that semaglutide is currently in short supply and expects this shortage to persist. However, a portion of the available supply has been allocated to NHS services. The company pledged to work with healthcare professionals to prioritize patients with the greatest medical need and ensure their access to the drug.
Despite global supply constraints, NHS England is implementing Nice’s guidance for weight management. Around 50,000 eligible patients in England may be prescribed Wegovy through specialist weight management services that provide appropriate multidisciplinary care.
Philip Ridley, the London chapter leader of The Weston A. Price Foundation, criticized the focus on medicating obesity and highlighted the importance of addressing poor metabolic issues through nutrient-dense foods. He argued that blaming individuals for overeating or having poor hunger regulation fails to address the underlying problem.
Regarding safety concerns, in July, the UK drug regulator, MRHA, announced an investigation into the risk of suicidal thoughts and self-harm among patients using weight loss and diabetes jabs. Ozempic, although not authorized for weight loss, is commonly used for that purpose off-label and has been approved by the MHRA. The safety data surrounding these drugs is currently being reviewed by the MRHA, with patient safety being the top priority.
The content includes information from PA Media.