Albanese's government to cut cost of top weight-loss drug

Potential Breakthrough in Weight-Loss Treatment for Australians

Millions of Australians who are living with obesity may soon have access to a groundbreaking weight-loss drug at a more affordable price. The federal government is considering expert recommendations to subsidize Wegovy, a medication similar to Ozempic, which has shown significant effectiveness in helping individuals lose weight.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has suggested that Wegovy be included on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for adults who have obesity and established cardiovascular disease. To qualify for the subsidy, patients must have experienced a serious cardiovascular event such as a heart attack, stroke, or symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. Additionally, they must meet strict weight thresholds.

Health Minister Mark Butler highlighted the financial burden faced by many Australians who currently pay private prices for this treatment. "Right now, more than 400,000 Australians are paying private prices just to get this weight-loss benefit - as much as $4,000 or $5,000 a year," he said. "It's beyond the means of many Australians who would genuinely benefit. It's an equity issue as much as a health issue."

Wegovy, a GLP-1 medication similar to Ozempic, suppresses appetite and can lead to substantial weight loss. According to data from 2022, 13 percent of Australian adults fall into the 'severe obesity' category, with a BMI of 35 or more. While there is no confirmed timeline for Wegovy's PBS listing, once it is added, eligible patients will experience a significant reduction in cost.

Under changes introduced on January 1, the maximum price for PBS-listed medicines has dropped to $25 per prescription, and $7.70 for concession card holders. This change aims to make essential medications more accessible to all Australians.

Mark Mellor, lead clinician at the Perth Weight Clinic, emphasized the benefits of Wegovy not only for weight loss but also for preventing future cardiovascular issues. "To help prevent patients from having another cardiovascular event or dying from cardiovascular disease," Dr. Mellor told the ABC. "It makes sense that we need to treat these people if they want that treatment."

Currently, Ozempic is only listed on the PBS for its original use: treating type 2 diabetes. Wegovy, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication, helps suppress appetite and supports weight loss. The global demand for GLP-1 medications has surged, prompting the World Health Organisation to urge governments to improve affordability and access.

Wegovy could also be approved in pill form after its recent launch in the US. This development could further increase accessibility for patients.

Dr. Michael Tam, an expert from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, noted that making these drugs affordable for those who need them most would deliver significant equity benefits. "There are a lot of people who believe they'd benefit from these medicines, but for many, their social and financial circumstances make that impossible," he said. "If these medicines land on the PBS, that fundamentally changes access."

However, Dr. Tam warned that Australia cannot rely solely on medication to tackle rising obesity rates. "For a person living with obesity, and there are many people who might benefit from these medicines, the reality is that their social situation may make access unrealistic. If these medicines come onto the PBS, it will clearly improve access, and the potential benefits from an equity perspective could be significant. But if we fund these medicines, it may mean less funding or slower growth for preventive health initiatives, such as addressing issues in the built environment."

He added, "It's not a simple thing. We know these treatments are effective for individuals, but ideally, we want to reduce the burden of obesity from occurring in the first place. It would be even better if we're able to also support a healthy community so that less young people, less children, become obese adults."