Ozempic's creator recommends Wegovy to UAE consumers looking to lose weight

Photo-REUTERS

The surge in people using the diabetes medication Ozempic for weight loss has led its manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, to introduce a similar drug, Wegovy, to alleviate supply issues for diabetic patients. The release of Wegovy was fast-tracked by Novo Nordisk due to the scarcity of Ozempic, which was causing difficulties for diabetics who rely on the medication. Both Wegovy and Ozempic contain semaglutide, a peptide that mimics the GLP-1 hormone released after eating, promoting satiety and reducing appetite.

Originally licensed for diabetes treatment, Ozempic saw a dramatic rise in usage for weight loss purposes, leaving diabetic patients struggling to access it in 2022 and 2023. Mads Bo Larsen, vice president and general manager of Novo Nordisk UAE, emphasized the importance of providing semaglutide treatment to obese patients while ensuring diabetics can still obtain their necessary GLP-1 treatment. This pressing need led to the introduction of Wegovy in the UAE, specifically targeting obesity.

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Larsen highlighted the significant increase in demand for semaglutide in the region and the necessity of introducing Wegovy to mitigate the off-label use of Ozempic. Currently, Wegovy is approved for weight loss in nine countries, including Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, Japan, the US, UK, and the UAE. It is seen as a potential solution to the global obesity crisis, which the World Health Organization states affects one in eight people worldwide.

The high demand for these drugs has substantially increased Novo Nordisk's profits. From a market capitalization of $171 billion in 2021, the company is now approaching $600 billion. In the first quarter of this year alone, operating profits surged by 30% to $4.6 billion. Despite this, the cost of Ozempic and Wegovy varies globally, with high prices making the weekly injections inaccessible to many obese individuals.

In the UAE, these medications cost approximately Dh1,200 ($326) per month. In the US, Ozempic costs about $963, compared to $169 in Japan, while Wegovy is $1,349 in the US and $328 in Germany. Dr. Hazem Aly, clinical, medical, and regulatory director at Novo Nordisk, noted that prices are unlikely to decrease soon, even with the entry of competing products from other pharmaceutical companies. Pricing strategies depend on negotiations with local authorities, and there is no standard pricing across countries.

Novo Nordisk continues to invest heavily in diabetes treatment research, addressing a condition affecting about 17% of the UAE population, with numbers expected to double by 2045, according to the International Diabetes Federation. Ongoing research includes developing glucose-sensitive insulin to reduce hypoglycemia risk and thermostable insulins that do not require refrigeration. Marcus Schindler, executive vice president of research and early development and chief scientific officer at Novo Nordisk, mentioned that the next major advancement could be amylin, a peptide hormone similar to GLP-1, which can help control blood sugar levels. Research is underway to combine amylin and insulin in a single injection, potentially offering better control for diabetes patients. Schindler expressed confidence in this development, highlighting the natural potency and safety of peptide-based treatments compared to small molecules.