Wegovy weight loss drug is remarkable but more must be done to treat the cause of obesity – expert

PUTNEY, U.K. - Sept. 7, 2023 - PRLog -- Stocks of the eagerly-awaited weight-loss jab Wegovy have arrived in the UK. The injection will be offered by specialist NHS weight-loss management services, as well as some private clinics.

However, a testing expert says limits placed on Wegovy's prescription in the UK mean it is only a short-term solution, and not the magic bullet to solve Britain's obesity epidemic.

Leading testing expert, Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, says: 'It's very concerning that nearly 1-in-3 adults are obese in the UK, the highest level in Europe. Obesity is strongly associated with high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and diabetes, all strong markers for life-changing conditions including stroke and coronary artery disease.

'There's no doubt the drug semaglutide – of which Wegovy is a brand name – is an effective and remarkable clinical intervention for patients. It works by reducing appetite through increasing satiety and fullness, resulting in reduced food consumption. In research, 75% of users lost over 10% of their bodyweight.

'However, it's vital to remember that this new jab is no miracle cure. It addresses obesity as a symptom but not necessarily the underlying cause. Furthermore, not everyone who wants the drug will qualify for NHS treatment, and its use here in the UK may only be short-term. In March, the National Institute for Care and Excellence (NICE), the body which approves drugs for use in England, approved Wegovy for NHS use for people with a BMI of 35 or more and at least one weight-related health condition. It also stipulated weekly injection treatments should be used for a "maximum" of two years. That's a key therapeutic window but, potentially, it poses a longer-term problem for patients.

'Here in the UK, NHS treatments are being run in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and exercise plans. A holistic approach that helps treat the root cause of obesity is eminently sensible, enabling patients to be less reliant on the drug in the long-term.

'In conjunction with losing weight, people can gain essential insight into dietary issues and general health by taking a simple, one-off blood test. As just one example, London Medical Laboratory's own Well Person Profile blood test (https://www.londonmedicallaboratory.com/product/well-pers...) examines blood cells, cholesterol, diabetes, gout, iron studies, kidney & liver function, muscle & bone health and thyroid problems. This gives insight into how well they metabolise food and any underlying potential medical issues behind weight gains. It can be taken at home through the post, or at one of the many drop-in clinics that offer these tests across London and nationwide in over 95 selected pharmacies and health stores.