The decision to make potentially “game-changing” weight-loss injections available on the NHS puts people with diabetes at risk, senior doctors have told Sky News.
Thousands of people are obese U.K. Wegovy (also known as semaglutide) will be available by prescription after health officials approve its use for weight loss.
But the “critical moment” for weight loss has been hit by supply chain problems, and it is unclear whether Novo Nordisk, the company that makes the vaccine, will be able to supply the NHS with enough product.
The NHS can only release a commercialized drug within 90 days of the manufacturer making it available to the health service – which has not yet happened.
Semaglutide is also found in the diabetes drug Ozempic, but unlike Ozempic, which is prescribed to diabetics, Wegovy is specifically recommended for weight loss.
However, patients are now at risk of missing out on vital medication as private practices stock up on semaglutide following numerous celebrity endorsements, a senior diabetes doctor told Sky News.
Patient’s “reset button”
Former health minister Lord Bethell said the shots would give people the chance to “hit the reset button and work differently to lose weight” and address any health issues.
But he added that the NHS would “need to address supply chain issues” as well as address “cost issues”.
He added that the drug should only be used “in collaboration with the clinical team … this is not a drug for someone trying to look good on the beach”.
He said that while it was “fantastic” and a “positive breakthrough,” it wasn’t the solution “to all the big problems.”
How Do Weight Loss Injections Work?
NHS patients will use a pen to give themselves weekly injections of the drug, which works to make people feel full, meaning they eat less and lose weight.
It suppresses appetite by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) released after eating. Patients can only take it for two years.
A previous study found that people who took the drug lost an average of 12 percent of their body weight after 68 weeks. Side effects, however, included nausea and diarrhea — but these side effects were usually mild to moderate in severity and changed over time. fades with the passage of time.
Last October, a billionaire named Elon Musk was asked about Twitter Users on the platform asked what was his secret to looking “fit and healthy,” to which he responded with “fasting” and “Wegovy.”
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Kim Kardashian allegedly used the drug to dress Marilyn Monroe
Who is eligible to use Wegovy?
Adults with at least one weight-related disorder and a body mass index (BMI) score of at least 35 will be eligible for the drug.
These conditions include type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (unbalanced or unhealthy cholesterol levels), obstructive sleep apnea, and heart disease.
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People with a BMI of 30 and over may be able to use this drug in certain conditions.
People can only get Wegovy by prescription as part of a professional weight management service that involves the advice of multiple professionals and is valid for a maximum of two years.
As stated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), which approved it, it will be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Helen Knight, program director at Nice, said: “For some people, losing weight is a real challenge, which is why drugs like semaglutide are a popular option.
“It won’t be available to everyone. Our committee has made specific recommendations to ensure it remains good value for the taxpayer and will only be available for a maximum of two years.”
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But Dr Stephen Lawrence, clinical associate professor at the University of Warwick, warned: “However, it is important to note that this drug is not a quick fix or a substitute for following a healthy lifestyle, which includes regular physical activity and a healthy diet”
In February, some high street chemists in the UK showed up will prescribeif appropriate, through their online physician services.