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Novo Nordisk has declared the availability of Wegovy® (semaglutide injection) for eligible Canadians, according to the Health Canada approved product monograph on May 6, 2024. Wegovy® is the first and only once-weekly medication endorsed by Health Canada for chronic weight management. This medication aims to provide additional assistance to individuals contending with obesity, a serious medical condition. The global demand for Wegovy® underscores the significant gap in treatment options. Novo Nordisk pledges to collaborate closely with healthcare professionals and regulators to gauge the level of demand and available supply, ensuring patients can consistently access treatment.
Over 8 million Canadian adults grapple with obesity, necessitating effective management strategies. Obesity is a progressive, chronic disease with profound implications for individuals, families, and healthcare systems. Those living with obesity encounter significant bias and stigma, resulting in adverse health outcomes such as increased morbidity and mortality.
Priti Chawla, Executive Director of Obesity Matters, emphasized the importance of supporting individuals living with obesity in Canada, where more than one in four adults are affected. Chawla stressed the need to shift the narrative surrounding obesity from blame and shame to empowerment and inclusivity. Access to effective treatment options is essential for effectively managing this disease.
Dr. Sean Wharton, an internal medicine physician and weight management specialist, called for an end to the blame and shame associated with obesity. He emphasized that obesity is a complex genetic medical condition, not a personal failure. Alongside lifestyle modifications and self-acceptance, medications like Wegovy® offer much-needed relief to individuals facing the challenges and complications of obesity.
Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam, Scientific Director of Obesity Canada, emphasized the importance of providing bias-free access to evidence-based care for people living with obesity. He highlighted the necessity of comprehensive treatment options, including medical nutrition therapy, physical activity, psychological interventions, pharmacotherapy, and surgery, to support Canadians affected by obesity.
Wegovy® received Health Canada approval in 2021 as a once-weekly treatment for obesity, backed by data from the STEP (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity) clinical trial program. The largest phase 3a trial, STEP 1, demonstrated that patients using Wegovy® achieved a mean weight loss of 15% sustained over 68 weeks. Moreover, 83.5% of patients achieved a 5% or greater reduction in body weight with Wegovy®, compared to 31.1% for placebo.
Participants receiving Wegovy® also experienced meaningful improvements in physical function, as well as secondary benefits such as reduced waist circumference and improved cardiometabolic parameters. Wegovy® is available in over 10 countries and is indicated in Canada as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater (obesity), or 27 kg/m² or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, or obstructive sleep apnea.
The most commonly reported adverse events associated with Wegovy® include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, and fatigue.
