Wegovy: already concerns about the use of this anti-obesity treatment

Wegovy, an anti-obesity treatment , has been available in France since October 8. Its reputation has been influenced by its similarities with Ozempic, an antidiabetic drug that is misused to lose weight.

At least eight million people are affected by obesity in France, a figure that has been constantly increasing for twenty years. Faced with this situation, many anti-obesity drugs have emerged, such as Mounjaro or Saxenda. And since October 8, 2024, a new treatment has been available on the French market after being approved by the health authorities: Wegovy from the Danish pharmaceutical laboratory Novo Nordisk. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, is used against type 2 diabetes by imitating an intestinal hormone, insulin. This hormone acts on several mechanisms by reducing and regulating blood sugar, appetite and satiety. To put it simply, it reduces food intake and appetite for fatty foods. 

Wegovy, a drug not without danger

Wegovy works in the same way as Ozempic, an antidiabetic whose popularity is growing day by day. Many celebrities, such as billionaire Elon Musk, have promoted this drug for its slimming properties, without ever mentioning its many side effects: gastrointestinal disorders, pancreatitis, hypoglycemia… And France has not been 'spared by this wave of interest in Ozempic since, according to health authorities, almost 2,000 patients use it without being diabetic, or about 1% of prescriptions issued. Faced with such global demand, Ozempic is expected to be in limited availability until 2025.

The only difference between these two drugs is the semaglutide dosage in Wegovy. The latter has been increased to match the product's weight loss goals. In light of these claims, nutritionist Pascal Nourtier mentions a high risk of abuse related to the prescription of the drug: “Some people will go to their doctor to get it prescribed, without realizing the potential dangers to their health. They will lose weight in a very short time, then relax and regain all the weight lost.” According to a national survey by Anses in 2011, 45% of women who were not overweight, including 15% who were thin (with a body mass index below 22) had been on a diet in the year. Which raises questions about the motivations and use of medication by a part of the population that favors the cult of the body at the cost of physical health.

A conditional treatment

According to the regulations in force in France, this weekly injection treatment is reserved for people under sixty-five years of age whose body mass index is greater than 35 kg/m2, which is equivalent to a state of severe obesity. It is only indicated in the event of failure of nutritional support. At the same time, the patient must practice an activity regular physical activity and follow a “low-calorie, high-protein, high-fiber diet”, Pascal Nourtier emphasizes.”

Not reimbursed by social security, Wegovy”is billed at “between 9 and 12 euros per day”, or between 274 and 365 euros per month according to the laboratory's French subsidiary. The Novo Nordisk company still hopes to resume price negotiations with the health authorities for coverage by 2025. For Pascal Nourtier, however, this drug is not a sufficient response to the increase in obesity cases in France: “This could be an individual solution to help certain patients who are still motivated despite failures. Besides, everything must go through education: we must take up the rules of food hygiene from childhood. To eradicate obesity, we must take up the problem at its roots."