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FDA Approves Wegovy for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Obese Adults

The drug's label expansion follows a trial showing a 20% reduction in major cardiovascular events, potentially increasing insurance coverage despite its high cost.

Donna Cooper holds up a dosage of Wegovy, a drug used for weight loss, at her home in Front Royal, Va., on Friday, March 1, 2024. “To me, it’s a help, it’s an aid,” says Cooper, 62, who lost nearly 40 pounds in nine months using Wegovy along with diet and exercise. “At some point you have to come off of them. I don’t want to be on them forever.” (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)
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Overview

  • The FDA has approved Wegovy, a popular weight loss drug, for reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in adults with cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight.
  • Wegovy's approval for heart health benefits is based on the SELECT trial, which demonstrated a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events compared to a placebo.
  • The expanded label could lead to increased insurance coverage for Wegovy, despite its high cost of $1,300 a month before any discounts.
  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and nearly 70% of adults are medically overweight or obese, highlighting the significance of this approval.
  • Wegovy is the first weight loss medication also approved to help prevent life-threatening cardiovascular events, marking a milestone in treatment options for obesity and cardiovascular disease.