The procedure to secure National Health Insurance coverage for the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) class obesity drug 'Wegovy' (generic name semaglutide) is set to begin. Attention is turning to whether Wegovy's inclusion in the insurance benefit list will expand treatment access for patients with obesity.
According to industry sources on the 8th, Novo Nordisk's Korean subsidiary plans to apply to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) for National Health Insurance coverage of Wegovy for the obesity indication as early as next week.
Currently, 'Ozempic,' a diabetes treatment with the same active ingredient as Wegovy, is covered by National Health Insurance, but Wegovy for the purpose of obesity treatment is not. In addition to Wegovy, all GLP-1 class obesity drugs are currently non-covered.
Novo appears set to file its application for Wegovy's coverage based on social demand that obesity should be recognized as a disease and treated accordingly, as well as the fact that bariatric surgery for patients with severe obesity is eligible for National Health Insurance.
The medical community holds that because obesity increases the risk of metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and other conditions, the threshold for patient treatment should be lowered through National Health Insurance coverage.
Park Jung-hwan, Director of External Cooperation Policy at the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (Chief of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Hanyang University Hospital), stated, "Preventing progression to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases through obesity treatment is a global trend in therapy," adding, "In particular, among women, those with lower education levels and income brackets tend to have more severe obesity. A phased implementation of insurance coverage for obesity drugs, prioritizing low-income groups with limited access to treatment, is necessary."
Chae Hee-dong, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Ulsan University Seoul Asan Medical Center, also stated, "Obesity is not a matter of willpower, so it should be approached as a disease," adding, "From the perspective of disease treatment, National Health Insurance coverage for GLP-1 obesity drugs is necessary."
in THEBIO
