A groundbreaking obesity medication called Wegovy has shown promising results in a large trial by reducing the risk of serious heart problems by 20 percent, according to the drug’s manufacturer. This significant finding has the potential to compel insurance companies to cover this highly sought-after treatment.
The trial, the first of its kind to demonstrate that a new class of obesity drugs can also improve heart health, reinforces the scientific consensus that obesity is associated with medical risks such as heart attacks and strokes. Moreover, it strengthens the idea that these medications can offer long-term health benefits in addition to aiding weight loss.
Conducted on approximately 17,000 overweight or obese adults with cardiovascular disease, the trial tracked the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths. It revealed that Wegovy reduced the risk of these outcomes by 20 percent.
Martin Holst Lange, the executive vice president for Development at Novo Nordisk, the drug’s maker, remarked, “People living with obesity face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, there are currently no approved weight management medications that have been proven to effectively manage weight while also reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death.”
Although Medicare does not cover weight loss medications and some employer insurance plans have been reluctant to provide coverage, citing the drugs as non-essential medical remedies, this new trial showcasing long-term medical benefits may exert pressure on insurers to support the treatment.
Nevertheless, the high list price of $1,349 per month for Wegovy renders it inaccessible to those whose insurance does not cover it.
Novo Nordisk has released only the topline findings from the trial, refraining from disclosing specific details regarding Wegovy’s impact on individual cardiovascular complications or patients’ weight. The trial involved individuals aged 45 and older without diabetes. The data has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Simon Cork, a senior lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University, an expert in obesity research, stated that these findings should be subject to confirmation through peer review. However, he affirmed that they underscore the critical need for patients with obesity to have access to this effective and safe drug in order to prevent future diseases.
Cork pointed out that besides improving patients’ lives, the medication could save money for healthcare systems. It has the potential to revolutionize the approach to obesity, which has long placed the responsibility of fighting weight gain solely on patients.
“This data also highlights the necessity of treating obesity as a serious health issue that warrants aggressive treatment,” Cork added.
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