Daily Wegovy Pill for Weight Management Approved in the UAE

A once-daily oral version of Wegovy (semaglutide) has been approved in the UAE for long-term weight management in adults living with obesity or overweight associated with weight-related medical conditions. The treatment has also been approved for reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in high-risk patients when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
According to the Emirates Drug Establishment, the UAE is the second country globally to authorise the oral treatment, following the earlier approval of injectable Wegovy for similar indications. Developed by Novo Nordisk, semaglutide belongs to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist class of medications.
The Emirates Drug Establishment stated that approval was based on clinical studies showing effectiveness in supporting weight loss, long-term weight maintenance and reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. The studies also demonstrated reductions in risks associated with cardiovascular death, heart attacks and strokes when treatment is combined with lifestyle changes including diet and physical activity.
The approval forms part of ongoing efforts to expand access to treatments targeting obesity and overweight, conditions that are associated with a range of chronic diseases.
According to Novo Nordisk, the oral formulation offers an alternative administration method to injectable treatments while using the same active ingredient, semaglutide.