The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have published new or updated guidance for the month of March 2023. This month is one technology appraisal that impacts upon primary care.
The Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity technology appraisal has been published. Semaglutide is recommended as an option for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults, 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 (including but not limited to tiers 3 and 4), and
- they have at least 1 weight-related comorbidity and:
- a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35.0 kg/m2, or
- a BMI of 30.0 kg/m2 to 34.9 kg/m2 and meet the criteria for referral to specialist weight management services in NICE's guideline on obesity: identification, assessment and management.
It is noted that the Wegovy® brand of semaglutide, which is licensed for this indication, is not commercially available yet. Ozempic®, which is licensed for use in diabetes remains in short supply and use of this brand for weight management would be off-label use. It should also be noted that the licensed doses and dose escalation schedule are different for these two products and therefore they should not be considered as equivalents.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of this month's new guidance and implement any necessary changes to practice.