Authorized in the European Union for two years, Wegovy, anti-obesity drug, has arrived in FranceTuesday October 8. The Danish slimming drug Novo Nordisk, available in pharmacies, is making headlines because its results are spectacular.
The medication comes in the form of an injection, which patients administer themselves, once a week, into the stomach, thigh or arm. THE product stimulates insulin secretion and causes a feeling of satiety. It acts as an appetite suppressant. According to laboratory studies, it allows patients to lose between 15% and 20% of their body mass in one yearor between 20 kg and 30 kg for people with severe obesity.
The medication has side effects including nausea, intestinal upset, and vomiting. This treatment, issued on prescription, may be prescribed to patients aged 12 to 65 yearsonly for people with severe obesity, that is to say a BMI, a body mass index, greater than 35.
A medication not reimbursed
The medicine can only be prescribed to patients already followed by a nutritionist and for whom this monitoring is not sufficient. Wegovy will be issued only by prescription and by certain specialists: endocrinologists, nutritionists, diabetes specialists. Doctors will not be able to prescribe it as first intention, but only renew prescriptions.
Le Wegovy costs around 300 euros per month. The patients will not be reimbursed by Health Insurance, nor by their mutual. Associations fighting against obesity denounce that the drug is entirely the responsibility of patients.
For the moment, the High Authority for Health (HAS) does not wish to reimburse it. She asked to new studies to ensure the effectiveness of the drug. Novo Nordisk has sent documents which are currently being analyzed. The HAS will have to make a decision by the end of 2024.
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