NHS to offer Wegovy weight-loss jabs to over a million at-risk patients
NHS to offer Wegovy weight-loss jabs to over a million at-risk patients
NHS will provide Wegovy weight-loss injections free to over a million people in England at risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Weight-loss jab Wegovy will be offered for free on the NHS to more than a million people in England who are overweight and at risk of heart attacks or strokes. The guidance from NICE says people who have already had a heart attack or stroke, or who have serious circulation problems in their legs, and who are overweight, should have the weekly jab as an extra layer of protection. A GP or specialist will check if it is the right option for those already taking other heart medicines, such as statins, and alongside a healthy diet. Drug trials suggest Wegovy can help slash the risk of future heart and circulation problems. Cutting heart risk In tests on tens of thousands of people, the jabs—alongside existing heart medicines—were linked to a 20% reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes. Importantly, benefits were seen early in the clinical trial, before significant weight loss occurred, suggesting the drug works directly on the heart and blood vessels, not just through weight loss, says NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Each year in the UK, there are around 100,000 hospital admissions due to heart attacks, another 100,000 people experience a stroke and around 350,000 people live with peripheral arterial disease. People who have already had one of these health issues are at higher risk of experiencing more problems and stand to benefit from medicines that can cut that risk. Disease might be prevented in around seven in 10 cases, experts estimate, based on best evidence. Helen Knight, from NICE, said: "We know that people who have already had a heart attack or stroke are living with real fear that it could happen again. The evidence from the clinical trial is compelling. It showed that people taking semaglutide alongside their existing heart medicines were significantly less likely to have another heart attack or stroke. Today\'s decision gives thousands of people in that situation an extra layer of protection."
