Wegovy Availability in the UK
The weight loss drug Wegovy, produced by Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk, is now accessible to patients in the United Kingdom. However, its supply is currently limited. Wegovy will be prescribed to patients receiving weight loss management treatment through the National Health Service (NHS) or private registered healthcare clinics in the UK. Novo Nordisk has indicated that supply constraints will persist in the foreseeable future. In the initial stages of drug prescription, a portion of the available supply will be allocated for NHS usage.
Approval and Patient Access
Semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy, received approval earlier this year from the UK’s National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for weight loss treatment. The UK government estimates that approximately 35,000 individuals, in accordance with national health guidelines, will be eligible for Wegovy access. The drug will be prescribed in conjunction with exercise and dietary plans. Additionally, the Department of Health is exploring the possibility of prescribing Wegovy outside of weight management facilities as part of a two-year weight loss pilot program aimed at addressing obesity.
Supply Chain Challenges
Concerns have been raised by Diabetes UK regarding the shortage of drugs containing semaglutide, such as Wegovy, which are used to manage blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Shortages have arisen due to the surge in unlicensed prescriptions, especially after another drug called Ozempic was approved by the NHS earlier this year. The situation has led some individuals to switch to insulin, which can be more challenging to manage and necessitates additional healthcare professional support.
Side Effects and Controversy
Wegovy may induce common side effects like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. While there has been substantial demand for the drug in the United States and Canada, reports of severe side effects have also emerged. A lawsuit in the United States involving Novo Nordisk and another pharmaceutical company alleged that the drugs could lead to stomach paralysis. The American Society of Anesthesiologists has cautioned against taking Wegovy before surgery due to anecdotal reports suggesting an increased risk of regurgitation and food aspiration into the airways and lungs during anesthesia and deep sedation.
SOURCE: Ref Image from The Guardian
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