Wegovy Approved for NHS Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
The NHS in England has announced that a GLP-1 drug called Wegovy (semaglutide) will be made available within months for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Around 1.2 million eligible patients (with a history of cardiovascular events and a BMI of 27 or higher) will be able to access this once-weekly injection via the NHS to help reduce their risk of future heart attacks and strokes.
Eligibility and Administration
According to draft guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Wegovy is recommended for:
- People who have previously had a heart attack, stroke, or a serious circulation problem in the legs (peripheral arterial disease).
- People who are overweight or obese with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher.
The drug is delivered as a weekly injection and should be prescribed alongside a healthy diet and increased physical activity under professional guidance. It can also be used in combination with other commonly used drugs, such as statins or anti-hypertensives, to further improve health outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease.
Efficacy and Significance
Clinical trial data has shown that semaglutide reduced the risk of serious heart problems such as heart attacks and strokes by 20% in people with heart and circulatory disease who are overweight, compared to placebo.
Helen Williams, National Clinical Director for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at NHS England, said: "For more than a million people at high risk of heart attack and stroke, this treatment on the NHS could be life-changing – offering a powerful new way to protect their hearts and improve their health."
Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, Clinical Director at the British Heart Foundation, noted: "So-called 'weight loss drugs' like semaglutide have proven benefits beyond reducing the number on the scales – they are now considered important medicines for preventing deadly heart attacks and strokes."
Expert Perspectives
Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the Stroke Association, stated that stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease and therefore shares many of the same risk factors. She emphasized that while encouraging people to reduce their stroke risk by maintaining a healthy weight is important, it can be a challenge for some. For stroke survivors with disabilities that limit movement, weight loss medication could be a suitable option when recommended by a medical professional.
Jack Turner, Deputy Director for Medicines Negotiation at NHS England, added that cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of preventable death, but also an area of great innovation. This latest NHS deal will enable patients in England to benefit from the latest application of semaglutide.