New treatment approved for overweight adults to reduce cardiovascular risks.
The UK has given the green light to Wegovy, marking it as the first weight-loss medication approved as a preventative measure for cardiovascular diseases. Wegovy is suitable for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels.
Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Wegovy works by simulating the GLP-1 hormone, which plays a role in regulating blood sugar and enhancing insulin secretion. This mechanism helps users feel fuller and less hungry, reducing the liver's glucose production and slowing digestion.
Study shows significant reduction in cardiovascular risk
A recent study involving 17,600 participants demonstrated that a weekly injection of Wegovy over five years can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, by 20%.
Although the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has yet to approve its use, NHS England's national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, expressed optimism. He believes it could “help reduce cardiovascular risks for high-risk patients, potentially preventing heart attacks and strokes, and giving more people the chance of a healthier future".
Shirley Hooper from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) called it "an important step forward in tackling the serious health consequences of obesity". She is assured that Wegovy meets the necessary safety, quality, and effectiveness standards.
Addressing supply challenges
Novo Nordisk has previously faced supply issues, prioritising those with the greatest need. For the NHS, however, the company has committed to maintaining a protected supply, though availability outside the NHS will remain limited for the “foreseeable future.”
The UK has given the green light to Wegovy, marking it as the first weight-loss medication approved as a preventative measure for cardiovascular diseases. Wegovy is suitable for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels.
Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Wegovy works by simulating the GLP-1 hormone, which plays a role in regulating blood sugar and enhancing insulin secretion. This mechanism helps users feel fuller and less hungry, reducing the liver's glucose production and slowing digestion.
Study shows significant reduction in cardiovascular risk
A recent study involving 17,600 participants demonstrated that a weekly injection of Wegovy over five years can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, by 20%.
Although the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has yet to approve its use, NHS England's national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, expressed optimism. He believes it could “help reduce cardiovascular risks for high-risk patients, potentially preventing heart attacks and strokes, and giving more people the chance of a healthier future".
Shirley Hooper from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) called it "an important step forward in tackling the serious health consequences of obesity". She is assured that Wegovy meets the necessary safety, quality, and effectiveness standards.
Addressing supply challenges
Novo Nordisk has previously faced supply issues, prioritising those with the greatest need. For the NHS, however, the company has committed to maintaining a protected supply, though availability outside the NHS will remain limited for the “foreseeable future.”
