Prime Highlights-
- The NHS will expand access to semaglutide to help prevent repeat heart attacks and strokes in high-risk patients.
- Around 1.2 million people in England are expected to benefit from the rollout in the coming months.
Key Facts-
- The drug, also sold as Wegovy and Ozempic, will be offered to patients with a BMI above 27 and a history of cardiovascular disease.
- Clinical trials show semaglutide can lower the risk of major heart events by about 20 per cent.
Background-
The NHS is set to expand access to weight-loss medication Semaglutide to help prevent heart attacks and strokes, following new guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Under the updated guidance, semaglutide, also sold as Wegovy and Ozempic, will be offered to patients who have already suffered a heart attack or stroke and are at risk of another episode. Patients with a body mass index above 27 and a history of cardiovascular disease will be eligible for the treatment.
Health officials expect around 1.2 million people across England to benefit from the rollout, which is due to begin in the coming months. The move marks a major expansion in the use of these drugs within the NHS.
Semaglutide belongs to a class of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs were first developed for diabetes but have gained attention for their role in weight management. New clinical evidence shows the drug can also directly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
A large study involving more than 17,000 people found that patients taking semaglutide had a 20 per cent lower risk of major heart events, including heart attack, stroke or related death. Experts say the drug should be used alongside existing treatments such as statins, as well as diet and exercise.
Health minister Sharon Hodgson said expanding access to the drug could save lives and help more patients manage their condition. NHS leaders also described the treatment as a major step forward in preventing serious heart problems.
