Company claims weight loss drug Wegovy reduces risk of severe heart complications

Wegovy, an obesity drug, has announced that it reduces the risk of serious heart problems by 20%. This groundbreaking result highlights the potential for obesity drugs to not only aid in weight loss but also target cardiovascular health. The manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, has released the top-line results and will present the detailed findings from the SELECT trial later this year.

This news is significant for Novo Nordisk and other drug manufacturers in the same class. Originally approved as a diabetes medication for weight loss in 2021, Wegovy’s popularity skyrocketed after videos of celebrities and influencers using it to lose weight went viral on TikTok.

However, private insurers and Medicare have been hesitant to cover Wegovy and its sister medication, Ozempic, as they are considered non-essential lifestyle medicine. Ozempic is only officially approved for diabetes treatment, yet it is frequently prescribed off-label as an anti-obesity drug. Both drugs share the same key ingredient: semaglutide.

The trial results challenge the perception that obesity treatments are solely for cosmetic purposes. The positive impact on health makes it difficult to deny coverage for these drugs. With a list price of approximately $1,400, many patients struggle to afford Wegovy.

Martin Holst Lange, the executive vice president for development at Novo Nordisk, stated, “SELECT is a landmark trial and has demonstrated that semaglutide 2.4 mg has the potential to change how obesity is regarded and treated.”

While the trial’s initiation dates back to 2018, the press release did not provide information on the amount of weight lost by patients or whether the results were sustained over five years. Additionally, it remains unclear whether the observed heart benefits are a result of weight loss or another factor.

Novo Nordisk assures that the drug’s safety and tolerability align with previous clinical trials. The company plans to seek approval from the Food and Drug Administration to add cardiovascular benefits to Wegovy’s label later this year.

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