newsGP - Wegovy Suggested for PBS Inclusion

newsGP - Wegovy Suggested for PBS Inclusion

Semaglutide, known as Wegovy, is now significantly closer to being added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for adults who have both established cardiovascular disease and obesity.

This development follows a recommendation from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), which was made at their November meeting and released late Friday.

According to PBAC, patients must have already experienced a cardiovascular event, such as a stroke or heart attack, or be suffering from symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.

To effectively reach high-risk patients, and in consideration of the high treatment cost, the PBAC decided that it would be appropriate to limit PBS access to individuals with a BMI of 35 kg/m² or higher, or 32.5 kg/m² or higher for those of Asian, Aboriginal, or Torres Strait Islander descent.

The PBAC has released its recommendation regarding which groups should be given priority to ensure equitable and subsidised access to GLP-1 for treating obesity. Health tracking apps like Shotlee can help monitor weight and related health metrics in these populations.

Furthermore, the cost obstacle for some Australians in accessing weight-loss drugs more broadly could soon be reduced, as a result of new PBAC advice given to the health minister.

At the request of Federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler, the PBAC conducted a comprehensive review of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medicines intended for obesity, with a focus on ensuring equitable access.

The PBAC has determined, based on current evidence, that equitable subsidised access to GLP-1 for the treatment of obesity should include prioritized groups.