Wegovy's NHS access marks milestone in obesity treatment, but challenges remain, says analyst

Danish diabetes care giant Novo Nordisk’s (NOV: N) obesity medication Wegovy (semaglutide) will soon be accessible through the National Health Service (NHS) in England, albeit with limited supply.

To maintain controlled distribution, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) will implement eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with comorbidities and specific BMI ranges. Although expected to become a leading obesity treatment, the constrained supply of Wegovy and the necessity of ongoing obesity management support are key considerations, forecasts data and analytics company GlobalData.

The NICE recommends the use of Wegovy alongside a healthy diet and exercise in patients with comorbidities, who have a body mass index (BMI) of 35kg/m2 or above. Wegovy will also be available for patients who are eligible for specialist weight management services with a BMI of 30–34.9kg/mg2 and have a weight-related comorbidity. Weight-related comorbidities include type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea.