‘A wake-up call’: GPs issued warning over semaglutide prescribing The DoHAC has delivered ‘education letters’ to more than 1000 doctors found to be prescribing the medication under the PBS, but failing to follow the criteria.
Obesity management needs medications on PBS: RACGP The college’s new obesity position statement calls for extra funding to treat the complex condition and for care to be made affordable for more patients.
In Practice: Call to join funding reform working groups The RACGP is seeking members to join Funding and Health System Reform Working Groups on business viability and compliance.
Wegovy approved for cutting cardiovascular disease risk The TGA has approved semaglutide (sold as Wegovy) as an adjunct to standard of care therapy to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in overweight and obese adults.
Examining the pros and cons of semaglutide A new study finds lowered risk of 42 health outcomes and increased risk of 19 for people using GLP-1RAs, highlighting the ‘far-reaching potential’ of the drugs.
World experts urge overhaul of obesity definition The Global Commission on Clinical Obesity says diagnosis must change, setting out new criteria, categories, and calling on doctors to go ‘beyond BMI’.
Australia’s new leading contributor to burden of disease Smoking tobacco has been overtaken by overweight and obesity as the leading modifiable risk factor, according to a new report.
Is it time to trade in BMI for body roundness? GPs need to move away from using BMI as a diagnostic tool, one expert in the field says. So how should patients’ weight risks be calculated?
Mounjaro expanded to include weight management The TGA has approved tirzepatide for the treatment of overweight and obesity for those with comorbidities, via private prescription.
Study links semaglutide and suicidal ideation risk There are calls for urgent investigation into its impact on mental health, but GPs are urging caution when interpreting the research.