FDA Approves Ozempic for Heart Risk Reduction in Obese Adults; Coverage Issues Remain

March 10, 2024
FDA Approves Ozempic for Heart Risk Reduction in Obese Adults; Coverage Issues Remain
  • Novo Nordisk's weight loss injectables Ozempic and Wegovy have gained FDA approval for reducing cardiovascular risks in overweight or obese adults.

  • The active compound in these medications, semaglutide, has demonstrated significant heart health benefits, marking it as the first of its kind in weight loss treatments for preventing severe heart conditions.

  • Despite its potential to avert heart attacks, heart disease, and strokes, many insurance providers do not cover semaglutide, leading to concerns about patients turning to unsafe alternatives.

  • Cardiologists are advocating for insurance coverage of semaglutide, emphasizing its critical role in patient health management.

  • Beyond heart health, semaglutide also offers additional health advantages, such as decreasing inflammation and slowing the progression of diabetic kidney disease.

Summary based on 1 source


Get a daily email with more Medicine stories

Source

More Stories