Wegovy for weight loss approved by NICE: How does this affect islanders?

Advice from consultant physician Dr Kate Allen

The NHS commissioning body NICE have announced this week that the injectable weight loss drug Wegovy™ (Semaglutide) will be made available on prescription for certain people in the UK living with obesity.

What is Wegovy (Semaglutide)?
Wegovy is a version of an already widely used injectable drug called Semaglutide, that is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is a naturally occurring hormone in the gut that helps to balance sugar metabolism, but also suppresses appetite and leads to early satiety (sense of fullness) when eating. This means that when combined with changes in diet and a healthy active lifestyle, people taking Semaglutide can lose significant weight.

Semaglutide leads to an average weight loss of 15% of total body weight, compared with just 3% with diet and lifestyle changes alone.

Who is Semaglutide suitable for?
In clinical trials, Semaglutide was effective in supporting weight loss in people with a BMI greater than 30kg/m2, but was also useful at the lower BMI of 28kg/m2 in people with a weight related health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure. 

Check your BMI

How is Semaglutide given?
Semaglutide is given by weekly subcutaneous injection from a pen device via a tiny needle into the abdominal wall.

Does Semaglutide cause side-effects?
Yes. The commonest side-effect is nausea. Semaglutide can also cause constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, tiredness and light-headedness.

Dr Kate Allen, Consultant physician at the MSG, says:

'We have been supporting many people with type 2 diabetes taking Semaglutide for many years now in the specialist diabetes clinic at MSG. Semaglutide pens are very easy to use and almost everyone has been able to administer their own injections at home, with our team’s support.

'We've seen all the benefits that weight loss can bring, not only with improvement in diabetes, but also reduction in back, knee and hip pain, lower blood pressure, less stress incontinence in women, improved fitness and quality of life, and very importantly a boost in self-esteem. Our experienced team also provide advice in dietary change as well as expertise in managing Semaglutide side effects.

‘Semaglutide is already available in Guernsey for people living with type 2 diabetes. Your GP will be able to tell you if you are eligible for a trial of this drug as part of your diabetes management plan.

‘In people without diabetes, Semaglutide is also available locally, but currently only by private prescription. The NICE ruling in the UK is a welcome step forward in supporting people to lose weight and will open the door in the future for opportunities to receive this drug at standard Guernsey prescription cost.

‘Wegovy™ which is the specific version of Semaglutide covered by the NICE ruling, has not yet been supplied by its manufacturer to the UK market. We are likely to know more about this by the end of 2023.

‘Here’s some examples of feedback from people we support taking Semaglutide.

“Losing weight in the past had been easy, but each time I would get hungry again and eventually the weight would go back on. Then I went through the menopause and weight simply wouldn’t budge. Semaglutide injections have enabled me to change my diet without the hunger pangs. My daughter gets married in the summer, I’ve gone down two dress sizes in six months and I have much more energy. I’m thrilled!” Lauren, 2 stone loss

 “I’m 43 and last year I fell and hurt my back. A scan showed degeneration of the discs in my spine, and I knew that being overweight was partly the cause. I was in constant pain. My pain management specialist at MSG suggested I consider semaglutide injections to help lose weight and reduce the pressure on my back and I have never looked back. So far I have lost 3.5 stone  and I’ve been able to reduce my pain killers.”  Carolyn

If you are interested in finding out more about Semaglutide therapy and whether it may be suitable for you, contact the MSG on 238565 to book a private consultation with Dr Allen.