A weight loss product that is causing a stir is now coming onto the market in Germany. From Monday (July 17th), doctors can prescribe “Wegovy” to obese patients, as the manufacturer Novo Nordisk announced at the request of the German Press Agency. Pharmacies can then also order the prescription drug from wholesalers.
Novo Nordisk anticipates high demand and limited supply. The Danish-based pharmaceutical company is therefore asking doctors to prescribe the drug “responsibly”. It requires a prescription and the costs are not covered by statutory health insurance companies. Novo Nordisk gives the pharmacy sales price of a 4-week ration for the highest dose at a good 300 euros.
Hype about active substance in social media
“Wegovy” has been approved in the EU since early 2022. The active ingredient semaglutide it contains is intended to support weight loss and control together with diet and exercise. It is primarily intended for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, i.e. obese. The drug is administered once a week, and patients can inject it themselves.
The active ingredient is hyped on social media, also because some celebrities are said to have lost weight with it. When asked about the secret of his appearance in addition to fasting, tech billionaire Elon Musk mentioned the name of the drug. In one study, patients who received one dose of semaglutide per week along with lifestyle changes lost an average of about 15 percent in weight after 68 weeks. A comparison group that received a dummy drug only lost a good two percent over the same period, according to the “New England Journal of Medicine”.
