The Food and Drug Administration has given the green light to Novo Nordisk’s highly anticipated weight loss drug, Wegovy, for reducing the risk of serious cardiovascular complications in adults with obesity and heart disease. This move could potentially expand insurance coverage for the drug and similar treatments for obesity, addressing a major barrier to patient access.

Wegovy, along with its diabetes counterpart Ozempic, has caused a stir in the weight loss industry due to their effectiveness in helping patients shed pounds. The FDA’s approval of Wegovy to mitigate the risk of heart-related issues marks a significant milestone, highlighting the broader health benefits of weight loss medications beyond just managing weight and blood sugar levels.

According to a landmark late-stage trial, weekly injections of Wegovy have been shown to reduce the overall risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular-related death by 20%. This expanded approval positions Wegovy as the first-ever weight loss medication with such a designation, signaling a major advancement in public health for adults with obesity and heart disease.

The FDA emphasized that Wegovy should be used in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to maximize its benefits. Both Wegovy and Ozempic, which belong to a class of drugs that mimic a gut hormone to suppress appetite, have seen a surge in demand and experienced shortages over the past year. However, their high cost, approximately $1,000 per month before insurance, has been a limiting factor for many patients.

Novo Nordisk hailed the FDA’s approval as a pivotal step in addressing critical health concerns, indicating a positive trajectory in the ongoing battle against obesity and its associated cardiovascular risks.