On Tuesday, TV 2 wrote that the slimming medicine Wegovy is available to Norwegians.
Currently, it is only in Norway, Denmark and the USA that it is possible to get hold of the medicine, which has been described by some doctors and experts as a “revolution” in the treatment of overweight and obesity.
Initially, Wegovy is approved for people with a BMI over 30, or BMI over 27 in addition to at least one weight-related disease.
Stands free
But initially, the medicine is only available on white prescription in Norway. This means that the patients themselves have to pay.
The doctors then have a special responsibility for following up the patients.
– The patient must then also be informed that it is outside of approval and that there are other alternatives, says head of the Norwegian Association for General Medicine, Marte Kvittum Tangen, to TV 2.
NOT A FIRST CHOICE: Marte Kvittum Tangen, head of the Norwegian Association for General Medicine, says that diet pills should not be a first choice in the treatment of obesity. Photo: Kristin Grønning / TV 2
In practice, this also means that Norwegian doctors freely decide to whom they will prescribe the medicine. So-called “off label” prescribing.
– I strongly believe that wise medical decisions are made before a drug is prescribed, says Kvittum Tangen.
Prepared for high demand
The Association of General Practitioners says that they do not initially fear that there may be “free range” with the prescribing of the sought-after slimming medicine.
– We know that doctors make individual assessments where benefits and risks are carefully assessed. We still want clearer guidelines that also take these new medicines into account, says Kvittum Tangen.
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She is nevertheless prepared for the fact that this is going to be a medicine that many will request when they visit the doctor.
– This quickly becomes known, and weight has always been something that many people are concerned about. If you can find an “easy” solution to lose weight, then many people are interested in it, says Kvittum Tangen.
Can be printed for children
WORKING ON THE CASE: The Norwegian Medicines Agency states that they are in the process of assessing whether Wegovy should be offered on blue prescription. Photo: Norwegian Medicines Agency
Although Wegovy is only approved for use by adults, Norwegian doctors are also free to prescribe the medicine for children, if they wish.
– Prescribing to children under the age of 18 is outside of approved use and entails a special responsibility for the attending physician, says acting unit manager Rita Hvalbye at the Norwegian Medicines Agency.
In order for a medicine to be offered on blue prescription, the Norwegian Medicines Agency must assess whether the costs are in a reasonable relationship to the health effects the medicine provides.
– As far as Wegovy is concerned, we are well underway with this assessment, but it has not yet been completed. It is too early to say what the outcome of this assessment will be, says Hvalbye.
CHALLENGE: Obesity among children is also a big challenge. Photo: AFP Photo / dpa / Ralf Hirschberger
Warns against overtreatment
If the costs associated with reimbursement exceed NOK 100 million per year, it is the Ministry of Health and Care Services that must decide whether the medicine is to be offered on a blue prescription.
The Association of General Practitioners says that one way to regulate the use of Wegovy is to make it available on blue prescription. Then the doctors have to follow the indication that has been set for the medicine.
– But we are also concerned that this should not be a medicine that is offered to all patients with overweight or obesity, that would be overtreatment, says Kvittum Tangen.
The top doctor is clear that this medication does nothing to address the cause of overweight and obesity.
– There must also be treatment to prevent disease, not just for cosmetic effect.
