NICE has approved semaglutide alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity as a therapeutic option for weight loss
A technology appraisal guidance document from NICE has recommended the use of semaglutide for the management of overweight and obesity.
Obesity is a global health problem and the World Obesity Atlas 2023 report has estimated based on current trends, that overweight and obesity will affect over 4 billion people by 2035, reflecting an increase from 38% of the global population in 2020 to more than 50% in 2035. Semaglutide (brand name Wegovy) has a current marketing authorisation ‘as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 (obesity), or ≥27 kg/m2 to <30 kg/m2 (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity.’
In its guidance, NICE has recommended use of the drug based on the licensed use, only if it is used ‘for a maximum of 2 years, and within a specialist weight management service providing multidisciplinary management of overweight or obesity.’ Adding that semaglutide should be stopped if an individual fails to achieve less than 5% of the initial weight after 6 months of treatment.
Semaglutide clinical efficacy
In an associated press release from NICE, it was stated that evidence for the effectiveness of the drug in weight loss was derived from the STEP 1 trial. This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included nearly 2,000 adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more and individuals with a BMI of 27 but with ≥1 weight-related coexisting condition and who were not diabetic. Participants received once weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg or placebo. After 68 weeks of treatment, participants receiving semaglutide saw 14.9% mean decrease in their body weight compared to baseline compared to only 2.4% among placebo participants and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001).
In the press release, Helen Knight, Director of Medicines Evaluation at NICE, said that ‘it (semaglutide) won’t be available to everyone. Our committee has made specific recommendations to ensure it remains value for money for the taxpayer, and it can only be used for a maximum of two years.’
The release also cites data from a 2019 Health Survey for England, which estimated that 28% of adults in England were obese and a further 36% were overweight and that the government estimated that the current NHS costs of obesity in the UK were £6.1 billion and £27 billion to wider society.
