Expert hails Wegovy's dual role in weight loss and cardiovascular protection a 'game-changer'

In a landmark decision, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved Wegovy for this groundbreaking use last month, making it the first weight loss drug to be prescribed specifically for preventing serious cardiovascular events.

Professor Franklin Joseph, a specialist at Dr Frank's Weight Loss Clinic, where Wegovy and the popular drug Mounjaro are prescribed, highlighted the significance of this approval.

"This is a game-changer in both weight management and cardiovascular care," he said. "For the first time, we have a weight loss drug that not only helps with obesity but also significantly reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients with cardiovascular disease."

Wegovy, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, was already approved on the NHS for treating severe obesity, particularly for those with a BMI of 35 or more.

It's also used for weight management in people with a BMI between 30 and 34.9, provided they meet specific criteria for referral to specialist weight management services. Now, with this new indication, its potential benefits extend even further.

The MHRA's approval is based on data from the Select clinical trial, which involved 17,604 participants over the age of 45 with cardiovascular disease (but not diabetes) and a BMI of 27 or higher.

The study found that semaglutide (administered as a 2.4 mg weekly injection for up to five years) reduced the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events by 1.5 percentage points - from 8 per cent to 6.5 per cent - compared with a placebo.

These findings underscore the drug's ability to lower the risk of death from cardiovascular causes, non-fatal heart attacks, and strokes.

Prof Joseph said: “The Select trial results are truly remarkable. The fact that we can now offer a medication that not only aids in weight loss but also provides a substantial protective effect against heart disease is a significant step forward.”

Despite the benefits, Professor Joseph stresses that Wegovy should be seen as part of a broader strategy for managing cardiovascular disease, which continues to affect 7.6 million people in the UK, according to the British Heart Foundation.

"While Wegovy offers promising results, it’s essential to remember that it’s not a silver bullet," he cautioned.

"We must continue to address traditional risk factors like smoking, alcohol consumption and poor diet, which play a crucial role in heart health."

Before Wegovy can be widely prescribed for this new indication, it will undergo a cost-effectiveness assessment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). This ensures that the drug will be used appropriately and represents a sound investment for the NHS.

"The approval of Wegovy for cardiovascular prevention is a significant step forward,” added Prof Joseph. “However, its use must be carefully managed to ensure that it provides real value to patients and the healthcare system as a whole."