- A recent global study conducted by Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company, has revealed that the weight-loss drug Wegovy offers benefits for heart health.
- In individuals with cardiovascular disease, the drug was found to improve the risk of stroke, heart attack, and mortality.
- This positive outcome may lead to insurance coverage for individuals on Wegovy and Ozempic.
New research has revealed that Wegovy, a weight loss drug, not only helps with weight loss but also improves heart health.
A large-scale, multi-year study sponsored by Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company, demonstrated that Wegovy reduced the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death by 20%.
Prior research had already shown that Ozempic, which contains the same drug as Wegovy but at a smaller dose, effectively reduces the risk of cardiac issues in diabetes patients. This new study focused on adults aged 45 and above with overweight or obesity and cardiovascular disease but without diabetes, showing that Wegovy can significantly reduce the risk of various heart health problems.
It is important to note that this doesn’t mean semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, should be taken by everyone to improve heart health. The drug can increase heart rate and hasn’t been studied for safety in individuals who are not overweight. Instead, the study highlights that by reducing body weight to a healthier level, semaglutide can have remarkable benefits for heart health.
Will insurers start covering Wegovy?
This breakthrough finding, where Wegovy reduced the risk of heart issues in otherwise healthy obese patients, may be a turning point for the drug, shifting the perception of semaglutide from solely a weight loss and diabetes medication to an enhancer of overall health. The data could motivate major insurers, including Medicare, to provide coverage for this drug. Currently, coverage for Wegovy and Ozempic has been limited due to their high monthly cost.
“People living with obesity have a higher 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,” stated Martin Holst Lange, Executive Vice President for Development at Novo Nordisk. “Semaglutide 2.4 mg has the potential to change how obesity is regarded and treated.”
Following the announcement, Novo Nordisk stock experienced a significant increase of over 14% on Tuesday morning.
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