Popular weight-loss drug Wegovy approved for use in Singapore
Overweight and obese adults with at least one weight-related comorbidity are eligible to take the drug
SINGAPORE — The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has given the green light to Wegovy, a medication that has gained popularity on social media for its weight-loss benefits.
HSA told Yahoo Southeast Asia on Monday (3 April) that overweight and obese adults with at least one weight-related comorbidity - such as high blood pressure, Type-2 diabetes or high cholesterol - are eligible to take the drug, which is a higher-dose diabetic medication of Ozempic.
Both drugs contain semaglutide, a hormone that regulates blood-sugar levels and suppresses appetite, aiding in weight loss.
Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company that manufactures the drugs, submitted separate applications under the two different brand names, based on their specific medical purposes.
Ozempic is used in the treatment of Type-2 diabetes, while Wegovy is prescribed for weight loss in patients who are obese. The dosage of both medications starts at 0.25 milligrams and gradually increases over several months, and are self-administered through a pre-filled injection pen.
Growing popularity as a weight loss drug
Ozempic, which has been approved for use in Singapore since April 2021, gained traction last year after users and celebrities raved about its weight-loss attributes on TikTok. Its high demand has led to its shortage in the US, Europe, and Australia.
In Singapore, sellers on local e-commerce platforms have been trying to profit from the surge in demand, and this has led HSA to remove four listings of Ozempic and Wegovy since the beginning of this year.
"Anyone who contravenes the prohibition on sale of prescription medicines may face a fine of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for a period of up to two years under the Health Products Act, if convicted," HSA said.
It cautioned that these drugs contain potent ingredients that could cause adverse effects if taken without medical supervision, such as gastrointestinal issues, low blood sugar, liver and bile disorders, inflammation of the pancreas, increased heart rate and fatigue.
However, HSA has not received any reports of adverse events related to using these medicines for weight loss.
Clinical discretion behind off-label use of registered medicine
HSA said that doctors may use a medicine outside of HSA's approval, but only if there is a justifiable medical indication that this is in the patient's best interest, and if the patient has been properly informed and has consented.
Consumers are also warned against obtaining medicines from overseas sources as they may be substandard, of poor quality, or fake.
HSA also reminded consumers to exercise caution when purchasing these drugs, and should purchase them only from licensed pharmacies or established retail stores to reduce the risk of poor quality or harmful products.
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