Wegovy Weight-Loss Injection Available on NHS Scotland
The weight-loss injection Wegovy will be offered free of charge on the NHS in Scotland to patients at risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has approved semaglutide, commonly known as Wegovy, as a treatment option alongside diet and exercise for patients who are overweight and have cardiovascular disease.
Wegovy was approved for NHS use in England in April, with a rollout anticipated during the summer months. Approximately 145,000 patients in Scotland will be eligible for the treatment.
The SMC indicated that the medication could be prescribed to patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 or higher who also have health conditions that increase their risk of stroke and heart attack.
Cardiovascular diseases account for more than a quarter of all deaths in Scotland, making them the second leading cause of death after cancer.
The drug functions as an appetite suppressant by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which promotes feelings of fullness and aids in weight loss.
Additionally, semaglutide slows the digestion process. Some patients may experience side effects such as bloating, nausea, or discomfort.
Patients are able to self-administer the medication at home using a specialized pen injector device.
Expert Opinions on Weight-Loss Jabs
Last month, Dr Mark Strachan, head of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, described the lack of NHS prescribing of weight-loss jabs in Scotland as a "national disgrace" during an interview on BBC's Scotcast.
"If you imagine that a medicine for breast cancer had been approved for use within the NHS in Scotland two years ago and we were not using it at the moment, there would be a national outcry," Dr Strachan stated.
"Some of the most effective medicines I have ever seen in the entirety of my professional career," he referred to weight-loss jabs.
Dr Strachan also noted that NHS boards in Scotland were currently only using these drugs to treat diabetes, despite their approval for obesity treatment.
SMC Guidance and Benefits of Semaglutide
The SMC published guidance on seven new medicines on Tuesday, including semaglutide.
Dr Rob Peel, chairman of the SMC, commented:
"The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHS Scotland.
Semaglutide will provide a useful treatment option to help reduce major cardiovascular events in patients who are overweight and have cardiovascular disease."
Clinical trials indicate that Wegovy can significantly reduce the risk of future heart and circulatory problems.
Notably, benefits were observed early in the trials, prior to significant weight loss, suggesting that the drug has a direct effect on the heart and blood vessels beyond weight reduction, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Cardiovascular Disease Impact and Prevention
Each year in the UK, approximately 100,000 hospital admissions are due to heart attacks. Another 100,000 people experience strokes, and around 350,000 live with peripheral arterial disease.
Individuals who have previously suffered from these conditions are at increased risk of further cardiovascular events.
Experts estimate that based on the best available evidence, cardiovascular disease might be preventable in about seven out of ten cases.
