When will Wegovy be available in Australia?

While weight loss treatment Wegovy is currently available in several countries, including the UK and the US, it continues to roll out elsewhere. If you've been wondering when eligible Australians might be able to access Wegovy for weight loss, you've come to the right place.

Here, we're looking at when Wegovy will land in Australia (spoiler alert: it's available now!), whether or not a prescription is needed to access the medication, and who can use it.

What is the new weight loss medication available in Australia?

Wegovy is a medication that is licensed for weight loss and weight management. It works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone to assist in regulating the appetite, making one feel fuller for longer, decreasing cravings and reducing food noise to encourage weight loss.

This weight loss medication is incredibly effective, with people experiencing up to an 15% average body weight loss in 12 months.

A 2021 study of 1,961 adults living with obesity or overweight with a related medical problem randomly assigned some participants the GLP-1 injections, while others received a placebo. Researchers found that those taking the GLP-1 lost an average of 15.3kg over 68 weeks, while those on the placebo lost an average of 2.6kg [1].

While both Wegovy and Ozempic share the same active ingredient of semaglutide, the medications are licensed for different uses (the former for weight loss and the latter for type 2 diabetes) and they are administered in different strengths — the maximum dose of Wegovy is 2.4mg, while Ozempic is 1.0mg.

Is Wegovy available in Australia now?

Yes! Wegovy is currently available in Australia, with stock accessible from August 2024.

How can people get Wegovy in Australia?

You can access Wegovy through GPs, chemists and private healthcare providers.

Although, it's important to note that Wegovy isn't currently subsided on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which means people will have to pay full price for the medication — a decision made by the Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee.

The second application of pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, who manufacture the medication, to include Wegovy on the PBS as a treatment for severe obesity was rejected by Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee [2].

Do people need a prescription for Wegovy?

Yes, Wegovy is a prescription medication and therefore requires a script to access it.

Why? Well, there are several eligibility requirements to take weight loss injections like Wegovy and a health practitioner must conduct a consult before prescribing the medication.

This allows the health practitioner to take personal health history into account before recommending the most appropriate medication.

Who can use Wegovy in Australia?

To be considered eligible for Wegovy in Australia, one has to fall within certain body mass index (BMI) ranges. While the BMI system is flawed, it's currently the most straightforward to discern if the medication is right for each individual, when used in conjunction with a reduced-energy diet and increased physical activity [3].

Wegovy may be suitable for people who have:

• a BMI of 30 or over, or
• a BMI of 27 or over, coupled with weight-related health problems

Who shouldn't use Wegovy?

As with any prescription medications, Wegovy isn't suitable for everyone. There are a few medical conditions that exclude some from using this medication.

Individuals shouldn't use Wegovy if:

Do not use Wegovy if:

• They, or a family member, have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) [4]
• They have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy
• They have kidney disease or liver disease
• They are pregnant or breastfeeding

Is it safe to buy Wegovy online in Australia?

Yes! It is safe to buy Wegovy online in Australia but it's important to look for reputable clinics.

For example, Juniper Australia is the only telehealth company in the country with an accreditation from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS), which required an independent assessment of the safety and quality of clinical service and auditing system.

Where can one buy Wegovy online in Australia?

You can access Wegogy via traditional channels, like GPs and chemists. But, it'll also be available online from digital healthcare clinics.

Juniper Australia offers a comprehensive weight loss program that is delivered online. The Weight Reset Program includes weight loss medications, as well as lifestyle coaching, educational content, guides for shopping and cooking and unlimited chats with health coaches.

Other alternative weight loss medications in Australia

If Wegovy isn't suitable for certain individuals, there are other weight loss medications available in Australia that can assist people on their weight loss or weight management journey.

It's important that health professionals are consulted when you're making decisions about medication as they may be able to recommend something more appropriate based on individual circumstances.

Saxenda

Saxenda is another weight loss medication that is administered via self-injection. But, while Wegovy is a once-weekly injection, Saxenda requires daily injections.

The active ingredient in Saxenda, called liraglutide, works similarly to Wegovy's semaglutide, by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce appetite.

While the mechanism of action is similar, Saxenda has slightly lower weight loss results compared to Wegovy. A review of 5 clinical trials of liraglutide found that patients achieve at least 5-10% weight loss compared with a placebo [5].

While Wegovy outcomes sit at around 15% body weight loss, compared to Saxenda's 5-10%, the latter is still an incredibly effective weight loss treatment.

Phen-Top

PhenTop (Phentermine-Topiramate) is another common weight loss medication that is prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and exercise program to those with with a BMI of over 30, or those with a BMI of over 27 when combined with at least one weight-related comorbidity [6].

A study from 2013 looked at 2,487 participants (of which 70% were women and 86% Caucasian) in a 56-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assigned placebo, phentermine/topiramate CR 7.5/46 mg, or phentermine/topiramate CR 15/92 mg in a 2:1:2 ratio [7].

For those in the PhenTop CR 7.5/46 mg group, the average body weight lost was 7.8%, while the 15/92 mg participants experienced an average loss of 9.8%. The percentages of patients with a weight loss of 5% or more were 21% for placebo, 62% for the 7.5/46-mg dose and 70% for the 15/92-mg dose.

Mounjaro

Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly manufactures Mounjaro, which contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. This medication assists weight loss through the dual action of GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) agonists.

Mounjaro is the first medication to include the GLP-1 and GIP combination and according to clinical trials, it's currently the most effective weight loss treatment available. A study from 2022 of over 2,500 participants found that those using the combined GLP-1 and GIP treatment lost up to 20.9% body weight after 72 weeks [8].

It aids in weight loss by helping to reduce cravings, slowing the rate of stomach emptying, blocking fat gain and promoting fat loss.