NETHERLANDS — The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has urged doctors to prioritize the diabetes drug Ozempic, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, for patients with diabetes who may be at risk if they do not receive it.

The agency’s cautionary statement was prompted by the increasing use of Ozempic as a weight-loss treatment, as it is the same drug as Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy weight-loss treatment but at a different dosage.

This has resulted in a surge in demand for Ozempic, and doctors have been prescribing it off-label to patients who are eager to try the latest weight-loss treatment.

Despite being sold across Europe, Wegovy is not yet available in most of the region and has also faced shortages in the U.S.

According to the EMA’s statement, the increased demand for Ozempic has resulted in shortages that are expected to continue throughout 2023.

It is important to note that Ozempic is only indicated for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus, and any other use may endanger the health of those patients.

The EMA has advised that diabetic patients who may face a shortage of Ozempic should be switched to an alternative medication to prevent hyperglycemic reactions.

Wegovy, the first new obesity medicine to hit the market in years, has been shown to help overweight individuals lose approximately 15% of their total body weight by reducing appetite.

Its popularity has been boosted by its use by Hollywood actors and public figures like Elon Musk. Sales of the weight-loss drug soared to 6.2 billion Danish kroner (US$892 million) last year, contributing to Novo Nordisk’s rise as Europe’s second-largest company by market value.

Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drug, Wegovy has gained attention in Hollywood and its popularity may soon spread to the UK.

The company spokesperson has confirmed that they are working to make Wegovy available in the UK as soon as possible.

While no official launch date has been announced, the Danish company is gearing up for the launch after England’s drug cost watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), gave its official approval for Wegovy coverage.

NICE has recommended Wegovy for adults with a body mass index (BMI) as low as 30 kg/m2 and at least one weight-related comorbidity, including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease.

Patients can take the once-weekly injection for up to two years. However, for people with a BMI between 30 to 34.9, only those at the highest risk should be considered for treatment under a special weight management service.

These patients have complex disease states or have failed on conventional treatment.

For those with a BMI of at least 35, Wegovy will be available through an NHS weight specialist. It is noteworthy that NICE’s BMI requirement is more stringent than Wegovy’s European label.

The UK Medicines and Health Products Regulations Agency approved Wegovy in September 2021 to treat people with a BMI as low as 27, accompanied by at least one weight-related comorbidity.

With NICE’s official approval, Wegovy is poised to make a significant impact in the UK’s weight loss market.

For all the latest healthcare industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, and YouTube Channel, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook.