A drug that mimics the popular weight-loss drug Ozempic will be available in Australian pharmacies within days.
Both Ozempic and Wegovy are manufactured by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk and use the same active ingredient, semaglutide, which mimics the hormone released by the gut after eating, reducing cravings and controlling hunger.
Like Ozempic, the drug is administered through a pen once a week, however, it contains a higher amount of the active ingredient and is used to manage chronic weight conditions, while Ozempic is only approved to manage type 2 diabetes.
The drug has been approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration since 2022, allowing it to be used for weight loss and weight management for people classified as obese or overweight when combined with increased exercise and a reduced-calorie diet, however it has never been sold in Australia.
However, Wegovy will not be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and details on costs have not yet been published.
In the United States, the drug is priced at US$1,349.02 (AU$2,064.23) for a 28-day supply.
The drug’s introduction to the market follows a supply shortage of Ozempic, which Novo Nordisk told the TGA would continue into 2024.
In May, the Australian government also banned chemical versions of Ozempic, due to concerns about serious side effects such as nerve damage, bleeding gums, severe diarrhea, vomiting blood and skin rashes.
A similar drug to Ozempic, Wegovy (pictured), used for weight control, could soon be sold in Australia, but it is not known how much it will cost Australians.
John Dixon, vice president of the National Association of Clinical Obesity Services (NACOS), said obesity was a “very misunderstood” and complex disease, and Australia had one of the highest rates of the disease globally.
“There is a significant unmet need to address this chronic and complex disease, and early intervention can help reduce the risk of many other serious conditions,” Professor Dixon said.
“I encourage people living with obesity to talk to their doctors. We need to continue talking about this chronic disease and remove the stigma.”
While Ozempic (pictured) is only approved to manage type 2 diabetes, Wegovy contains a higher amount of the active ingredient and is used to manage chronic weight conditions.
Ana Svensson, Novo Nordisk’s senior medical director for its Oceania operations, said the launch of Wegovy in pharmacies offered a new treatment option for people struggling with obesity.
“We encourage health care professionals and their patients to talk openly about obesity and weight problems and engage in meaningful conversations about long-term strategies,” she said.
