Short summary

Wegovy is approved for treatment of obesity and was approved in Denmark in December 2022. Since then, there has been a steady increase in new users. These constitutes a new patient group, which there is currently limited information about. The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of Wegovy in Denmark. This includes a characterization of the patients, including factors related to side effects, treatment initiation, as well as their opinions towards various factors related to its use.

Rationale

Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor analog, which is a peptide that regulates the feeling of hunger. Wegovy is administered as a subcutaneous injection once a week and has demonstrated convincing weight loss in clinical studies.

According to the Danish Health Data Authority, 25,360 individuals' redeemed prescriptions for Wegovy in February 2023, and just a month later, the number increased to 37,710. The high demand puts a strain on the regions' budgets for medication, leading Health Insurance "Denmark" to withdraw subsidies for Wegovy from January 2024.

The soaring demand for Wegovy results in a substantial and ongoing expense at the societal level. For general practitioners, it results in considerable additional work, handling inquiries from citizens seeking treatment initiation, ongoing prescriptions, monitoring of treatment as well as handling side effects. More knowledge about this large group of Wegovy users, including reasons for treatment initiation, awareness of their own treatment, and experienced side effects, is essential to ensure optimal and rational use of Wegovy. We believe that results from this study will contribute to this knowledge, which can be used in various contexts, such as providing more targeted advice to this customer group.

Description of the cohort

Patients who collect a prescription for Wegovy will be invited to take part in a short questionnaire directly in the counter at around 20 pharmacies in Denmark.

Data and biological material

Questionnaire data.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Ørnen Pharmacy, Odense

The Danish Network for Community Pharmacy Practice for Research and Development (NUAP), Pharmakon