The manufacturer of Ozempic – a drug developed to treat type 2 diabetes, but which has become very popular for its weight-loss properties – is making a treatment for obesity available in the country. Experts say their peers must ensure it is only given to patients who truly need it.
Canadian doctors can now prescribe the drug Wegovy, a weekly injection from Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, approved by Health Canada for weight loss in patients with a medical diagnosis of obesity.
Wegovy may also be prescribed to patients who are significantly overweight and have at least one related medical condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or obstructive sleep apnea.
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Weogy contains the same ingredient as Ozempic.
Photo: Getty Images / AFP / Joel Saget
However, some health professionals are concerned that this new drug may be used inappropriately. Wegovy contains semaglutide — the ingredient also found in the drug Ozempic — but at a higher dose.
We shouldn’t just give this drug to everyone as a cosmetic treatment. We should really consider this a medical treatment.
Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam, scientific director of the Obesity Canada organization, is delighted to see a new treatment added to the toolbox
doctors in the country.
The organization says it will update its obesity medication guidelines to include Wegovy, which should be used in conjunction with physical activity and a healthy diet.
Side effects of Wegovy
The most commonly reported side effects were nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, headache and fatigue, Novo Nordisk said in its statement. Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg should help alleviate these symptoms, experts say.
Semaglutide has been associated with thyroid tumors in rodents, specifies the pharmaceutical company. But according to Dr. Sean Whartonan internal medicine specialist who treats patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity in Toronto, there have never been any cases of thyroid tumors in humans taking Ozempic or Wegovy, and he There is no evidence to suggest such a risk to humans.
Experts say it is essential that health professionals who prescribe it, including general practitioners, ensure that Wegovy is only administered to patients who meet specific criteria.
Ultimately, doctors are the gatekeepers of this situation and we hope that medications are prescribed responsibly
said Dr. Ehud Ur, an endocrinologist in Vancouver.
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Wegovy contains the same substance, semaglutide, as the drug Ozempic, but in a higher dose.
Photo: Getty Images / imyskin
Ozempic effect
Wegovy has been available in Canada since Monday, two and a half years after receiving the green light from Health Canada in November 2021. Widespread shortages of this type of treatment have delayed its marketing in the country.
Experts talk here aboutOzempic effect
because marketing efforts by the drug manufacturer, fueled by social media and big personalities like Oprah Winfrey, have led to a sharp increase in demand for these weight-loss treatments — often for off-label use. drugs. (Ozempic is not approved for weight loss in Canada.)
Other treatments such as Mounjaro and Zepbound, from the American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, have also benefited from this enthusiasm.
years, says Dr. Labos. It’s currently a bit disappointing to see prescriptions given for less justifiable reasons.”,”text”:”Marketing is influencing patients more and more. This is a phenomenon that we did not see 20 or 30 years ago, says Dr. Labos. It’s currently a bit disappointing to see prescriptions given for less justifiable reasons.”}}”>Marketing is influencing patients more and more. This is a phenomenon that we did not see 20 or 30 years ago, says Dr. Labos. It’s currently a bit disappointing to see prescriptions given for less justifiable reasons.
Other shortages to be expected?
Dr. Christopher Labos believes that the supply problems that have arisen in recent months are virtually resolved. The shortage we had before is probably not going to happen again
he said.
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specifies the specialist.
The high price of the drug could also discourage some Canadians from requesting it for off-label use. The manufacturer did not want to specify its prices, but according to experts, the treatment would cost around $400 per month.
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Dr. Christopher Labos, a cardiologist and epidemiologist, is concerned about inappropriate use of the drug Wegovy.
Photo: Radio-Canada
In an email sent to the Canadian Press, Novo Nordisk Canada explains that drug prices in Canada are influenced by multiple factors, including federal, provincial and territorial governments and insurance providers, and prices can vary from person to person
.
Now that there is a drug specifically approved for weight loss, insurers will need to clarify whether or not they will cover this product.
If we see weight loss as an aesthetic problem, I understand why governments and private insurance companies did not want to cover the cost of this medication. If we consider it a medical treatment, I think it should be covered
says Dr. Labos.
With information from Marjorie April and the Canadian Press
