LONDON, May 12 (Reuters) – Effective new weight-loss drugs like Novo Nordisk’s (NOVOb.CO) Wegobee are not a ‘silver bullet’ to combat the rapid rise in global obesity rates, officials say. The World Health Organization’s nutrition director told Reuters. The agency is reviewing its obesity management guidelines for the first time in more than 20 years.
Francesco Branca, director of nutrition and food safety at the WHO, said the World Health Organization will first update its guidelines for treating obese children and adolescents, and then update its recommendations for adults.
WHO last issued global guidelines on the subject in 2000, which are being used as a blueprint for countries without the resources to develop their own plans.
As part of the work, the WHO told Reuters that the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacology in Milan, Italy, had some drugs from older drugs, such as GSK (GSK.L)’s Xenical, from Wigoby and Eli Lilly & Co. He said there are newer, more effective treatments, like The Company’s (LLY.N) Munjaro.
“The communication that’s been done with these drugs, ‘we’ve found a solution,’ is wrong,” Branca said. He said obesity drugs are important but must be “part of a comprehensive approach.” “This is not a silver bullet.”
Branca said other interventions such as diet and exercise remain important in managing obesity. According to the latest WHO data, the prevalence of obesity or overweight among children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 rose from 4% in 1975 to just over 18% in 2016, now numbering 340 million. Equivalent to more than 10,000 people.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Wegovy and Mounjaro were originally developed for type 2 diabetes to help control blood sugar. Recently, it has been proven to help lose about 15% of body weight and has attracted the attention of patients, investors and even celebrities.
A class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists, given as weekly injections, affects hunger signals to the brain, slowing the emptying of the stomach and making you feel full longer.
Studies suggest that people are likely to have to take medication for the rest of their lives to lose weight.
Wegovy has been approved as a weight loss drug in the US and Europe, and Mounjaro is expected to be approved in the US later this year. The enormous demand for the drug is expected to reach $100 billion in annual sales within 10 years, and there are 10 different drugs on the market.
U.S. medical groups are also reviewing obesity treatment guidelines to consider the optimal use of Wegobee and similar drugs, with some experts advocating widespread use, while others argue for worsening health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Some experts recommend prioritizing its use in high-risk patients. by excess weight.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using such drugs in obese children over the age of 12, although the long-term effects have not yet been studied.
More Robust WHO said the revised guidelines are based on more robust methodologies than previous revisions and include the latest science. A first draft of new administrative guidelines for children and adolescents is expected to be released by the end of the year.
Branca said Mario Negri’s researchers and other institutions working on the guidelines have been thoroughly scrutinized to avoid conflict of interest concerns.
Novo Nordisk was suspended earlier this year by the British Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association for marketing practices such as funding and providing training to medical professionals, which it said were aimed at promoting its medicines. .
“We thoroughly review potential conflicts of interest,” says Branca.
He described obesity as a “rising epidemic.”
“There are multiple reasons why we really need to take more serious and bold action,” he said.
Reported by Jennifer Rigby, edited by Michelle Gershberg and Jane Merriman
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