SINGAPORE — The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has specified the environmentally friendly light-weight to Wegovy, a medication that has received level of popularity on social media for its body weight-decline positive aspects.
HSA instructed Yahoo Southeast Asia on Monday (3 April) that obese and overweight adults with at least one particular weight-relevant comorbidity – this sort of as large blood pressure, Sort-2 diabetic issues or substantial cholesterol – are eligible to acquire the drug, which is a higher-dose diabetic medication of Ozempic.
The two prescription drugs consist of semaglutide, a hormone that regulates blood-sugar degrees and suppresses hunger, aiding in bodyweight decline.
Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical organization that manufactures the medicine, submitted independent apps under the two distinctive manufacturer names, based on their distinct health care functions.
Ozempic is utilized in the procedure of Type-2 diabetic issues, while Wegovy is recommended for bodyweight loss in patients who are overweight. The dosage of both medicines starts off at .25 milligrams and little by little raises around quite a few months, and are self-administered by way of a pre-crammed injection pen.
Increasing acceptance as a weight decline drug
Ozempic, which has been authorised for use in Singapore due to the fact April 2021, received traction last yr after users and superstars raved about its body weight-reduction attributes on TikTok. Its high demand from customers has led to its lack in the US, Europe, and Australia.
In Singapore, sellers on nearby e-commerce platforms have been seeking to revenue from the surge in need, and this has led HSA to clear away 4 listings of Ozempic and Wegovy considering the fact that the starting of this yr.
“Any one who contravenes the prohibition on sale of prescription medications might face a fine of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for a period of up to two a long time underneath the Overall health Solutions Act, if convicted,” HSA reported.
It cautioned that these medication include potent components that could lead to adverse outcomes if taken devoid of clinical supervision, this kind of as gastrointestinal problems, low blood sugar, liver and bile problems, irritation of the pancreas, increased heart price and fatigue.
Nevertheless, HSA has not obtained any stories of adverse activities related to applying these medicines for excess weight decline.
Clinical discretion behind off-label use of registered drugs
HSA explained that medical doctors may perhaps use a medication outside the house of HSA’s acceptance, but only if there is a justifiable medical indication that this is in the patient’s greatest desire, and if the affected person has been effectively knowledgeable and has consented.
Shoppers are also warned against obtaining medicines from overseas resources as they may well be substandard, of very poor excellent, or fake.
HSA also reminded consumers to work out caution when purchasing these medicines, and should really obtain them only from accredited pharmacies or set up retail merchants to lessen the danger of weak good quality or unsafe solutions.
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