A new obesity medication, WegovyTM, was approved earlier this month by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is expected to be on the market this June.
WegovyTM, which is the brand name for semaglutide, already made headlines this year during clinical trials for being a ‘game-changer’ in obesity treatment. The findings show it to be a highly-effective drug that resulted in significant weight-loss for the majority of study participants.
In patient clinical trials consisting of approximately 4,500 people, patients taking semaglutide (WegovyTM), in combination with a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity, achieved an average weight loss of 14.9% of body weight at 68 weeks. In addition, approximately 83% of patients achieved 5% or more body weight reduction.
What’s Next?
Now that WegovyTM has been approved by the FDA, it is expected to set the bar for a new generation of much-needed obesity treatments. For those who are interested in or are considering physician-supervised options to manage their obesity, WegovyTM will soon be a treatment option among others on the market. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about taking an obesity drug or beginning a new treatment.
The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), Producer of the Your Weight Matters Campaign, is keeping a close eye on the launch of WegovyTM and promises to keep its members up to date when there is more information. If you want to locate a healthcare provider near you who is trained in obesity care and can help answer some of your questions about weight management, check out the OAC’s Obesity Care Provider Locator.
What Can You Do in the Meantime?
Remember that not everyone has the same access to obesity care and treatment options such as WegovyTM. The majority of insurance companies do not cover obesity treatments, making it hard for many Americans to get help if they want or need it. This is why expanding access to care is so important!
Use the OAC Action Center to send an automated message to your state legislators asking them to cosponsor and support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA). TROA will raise the standard for insurance companies to improve access to obesity care by expanding Medicare benefits for intensive behavioral counseling through community-based programs and FDA-approved prescription drugs for chronic weight management.
To take action and help the OAC support TROA, click here!
