Probe over suicide risk linked to weight loss drugs expands to U.K. – Reuters
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Regulatory scrutiny over suicide risk linked to a class of weight loss drugs that includes Novo Nordiskâs (NVO) popular obesity therapy semaglutide has expanded to the U.K., Reuters reported Wednesday.
The drug class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists includes Novo's (NVO) Ozempic, which is approved for diabetes in the U.K., and the company's blockbuster weight loss medicine Wegovy, a drug with the same active pharmaceutical ingredient.
The U.K. drug regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), launched its investigation on July 12 to review whether there is a link between GLP-1 drugs and suicidal or self-harming thoughts.
Early this month, the EU drug regulator, the European Medicines Agency, announced a similar investigation into the drug class.
In addition to Ozempic, the review includes Novoâs (NVO) older weight loss therapy Saxenda and other GLP-1 drugs such as exenatide, lixisenatide, and dulaglutide, developed by AstraZeneca (AZN), Sanofi (SNY), and Eli Lilly (LLY), respectively.
"The review is ongoing and a response will be provided within the requested timelines," Reuters reported, citing a statement from the MHRA.
The agency has cited five reports of suspected adverse drug reactions associated with "suicidal and self-injurious behavior" linked to semaglutide between 2020 and July 6. Similarly, there were 12 suspected adverse drug reactions linked to liraglutide, the active ingredient in Saxenda.
"We will carefully consider all available evidence and communicate any further advice to patients and healthcare professionals as appropriate, the MHRA said, adding that the reporting of an adverse event doesnât necessarily indicate proof of causation.
While the U.K. approved semaglutide as a weight loss therapy in 2021, Novo (NVO) has yet to launch the drug in the country amid supply constraints and rising demand in the U.S.
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