University of Otago Prof Jim Mann, co-director of the Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre, advises caution on widely funding Wegovy (semaglutide), a GLP-1 medication for weight loss. With one-third of New Zealand adults obese, he argues for a targeted approach amid the nation's obesity epidemic.
Targeted Use for High-Risk Patients
Prof Mann believes certain groups would benefit most from Wegovy.
- People with heart disease or heart failure.
- Specific diabetes patients.
Pharmac should prioritize these, he says, but only within a comprehensive national obesity strategy.
GLP-1 Drugs Need Nutritional Support
While Wegovy and similar drugs promise dramatic weight loss, long-term success requires lifestyle changes. Prof Mann stresses:
- Nutritional counseling must accompany prescriptions.
- Weight regain is common upon stopping without better eating habits.
- No "magic bullet" exists for obesity.
"The minute you stop taking them, you'll gain weight if you haven't learned to have better eating habits," he warns.
Side Effects and Limited Experience
Despite hype as "miracles," these GLP-1 agonists are new. Potential side effects remain under study, unlike established drugs for blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol.
