Australia will fund Wegovy for obese patients with heart disease, requiring high BMI or specific ethnic criteria.

Australia will subsidize the weight-loss drug Wegovy (semaglutide) through its public health system for people with obesity and established cardiovascular disease, such as those who’ve had a heart attack or stroke. The move, recommended by the PBAC, limits access to those with a BMI of 35 or higher, or 32.5 or higher for certain ethnic groups. While the drug is not yet available for broader obesity treatment, experts stress the need for dietitian support to prevent side effects. The government will work with Novo Nordisk to finalize the listing, with the World Health Organization urging improved global access to GLP-1 medications.