Imagine a world where over 2 billion adults struggle with overweight or obesity. Yes, you read that right – TWO BILLION! In Croatia, over 60% of adults have a BMI over 25, meaning they are overweight or obese. While the world battles this massive problem, the pharmaceutical industry has found its new goldmine – weight loss drugs. Among them, Wegovy is the king of popularity, and its sales are skyrocketing!
Why is Wegovy such a hit? Because it works like magic! Based on semaglutide, a hormone naturally produced in the gut that signals the brain when you’re full, Wegovy slows stomach emptying and reduces appetite. The result? People eat less, lose weight, and also regulate their blood sugar.
But Wegovy isn’t the only player. There are other drugs like Ozempic, Saxenda, Mounjaro, and tirzepatide, which together are revolutionizing the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Novo Nordisk, the Danish company behind Wegovy and Ozempic, recorded an astonishing $21.1 billion in revenue, an 89% increase from the previous year!
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The price of Wegovy in Croatia starts at around 600 kuna per month, and with dose increases, it can exceed 2,000 kuna. Although expensive, it remains one of the cheaper drugs in its category. But is the price justified? Experts say yes, as successful obesity treatment reduces healthcare costs and improves quality of life.
Clinical trials show that people using Wegovy lose on average about 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks, while those on placebo lost only 2.6%. A whopping 62% of users lost at least 10% of their body weight, and a third lost 20% or more! That’s some serious magic!
But beware! Side effects are not negligible – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation are common, and some patients discontinued treatment due to adverse effects. Also, muscle mass loss of up to 40% can be a serious issue, as it may lead to weight regain after stopping therapy. That’s why combining the drug with specific diet and exercise is crucial.
Although Wegovy is not covered by mandatory health insurance in Croatia, doctors praise its effectiveness but warn about the need for professional supervision. Unfortunately, currently less than 2% of obese people in Croatia use these drugs, mostly due to high cost. Experts suggest including Wegovy and similar drugs on the national health insurance list for severe obesity cases with comorbidities, as some developed countries have done.
So, while the pharmaceutical industry rakes in billions and people hope for a miracle weight loss solution, the question remains – is Wegovy truly a savior or just another expensive drug many can only dream of? What do you think? Would you try this “magic” drug or stick to good old diets and exercise? Drop a comment, let’s see who’s in and who’s out!
