Health Minister Advances Wegovy's PBS Inclusion

Government Moves Forward with Wegovy on PBS

After the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) endorsed the idea, Federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler has announced his intention to collaborate with semaglutide producers, marketed as Wegovy, to incorporate the slimming drug into the PBS for obesity treatment.

The Australian government is poised to initiate discussions with the creators of semaglutide, known by the brand Wegovy, to include this weight-reduction medication in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Recently, on Friday, Minister Butler expressed his commitment to partnering with Novo Nordisk to secure the drug's listing on the PBS specifically for obesity cases.

This development stems from the PBAC's approval during its November session, with the official verdict disclosed toward the end of the previous year.

Minister Butler's Statements

'Shortly before the holiday season, I obtained advice from the specialists who have long supervised the PBS, suggesting we consider adding Wegovy to the scheme,' Butler shared with Sunrise.

'We intend to negotiate with the company to reach a mutually agreeable price that benefits them while ensuring value for taxpayers, as we are dedicated to implementing all suggestions from these professionals.'

'Nonetheless, additional efforts will be required for this category of medications.'

As demand for these treatments surges dramatically, a recent survey by newsGP revealed that 24% of participants identified ongoing patient enthusiasm for slimming drugs as the most significant challenge they faced in 2025.

Minister Butler characterized these drugs as a 'remarkable advancement that's gaining global momentum.'

'At present, over 400,000 individuals in Australia incur out-of-pocket expenses to access these weight-loss advantages and other perks, amounting to as much as $4000 or $5000 annually,' he noted.

'For numerous Australians who could greatly benefit, this is financially prohibitive.'

'From my standpoint, it represents both an equality concern and a wellness matter.'

PBAC Recommendations for Access

The PBAC advocated for Wegovy's inclusion for individuals who have suffered a cardiovascular incident, like a myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, or symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.

'To effectively assist high-risk patients while accounting for the substantial treatment expenses, the PBAC determined that restricting PBS eligibility to those with a BMI of 35 kg/m² or above, or 32.5 kg/m² or higher for individuals of Asian, Aboriginal, or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, would be suitable,' the committee stated.

Health tracking apps like Shotlee can help monitor progress with weight loss medications.