Home / Health / Australia Approves First GLP-1 Weight-Loss Tablet
Australia Approves First GLP-1 Weight-Loss Tablet
4 Nov
Summary
- Australia's TGA approved Wegovy (semaglutide) oral pill for weight management.
- The oral tablet offers improved accessibility and affordability compared to injections.
- Concerns exist regarding patient risks, including suicidal thoughts and eating disorders.
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved Novo Nordisk's Wegovy (semaglutide) oral tablet for weight management, marking the nation's first approval of a GLP-1 medication in pill form. This follows similar endorsements in the UK and US, significantly enhancing accessibility for eligible adults. The pill is also indicated for reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
Previously, Australians could only access GLP-1 treatments via weekly injections. The new oral formulation, stable at room temperature, is expected to increase sales considerably, building on a near tenfold rise in peptide unit sales between May 2020 and April 2025. Novo Nordisk anticipates the pill will be available later this year.
Health experts, like Dr. Karen Spielman, acknowledge the improved accessibility but highlight potential patient risks. Concerns include reports of hospitalizations among individuals with eating disorders and the TGA's warning about links between GLP-1s and suicidal thoughts. Dr. Spielman stresses the importance of robust screening and ongoing patient support to mitigate these risks and prevent inappropriate prescribing.
