The drug Wegovy, used in the treatment of obesity, is available in France since October 2024without possibility of reimbursement by Health Insurance. Wegovy imitates an intestinal hormone (GLP-1) and notably provides an “appetite suppressant” effect, thus contributing to weight loss. In France, its use is restricted and regulated. The High Authority for Health (HAS) and the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) have established a framework for its prescription to avoid misuse: the medicine is reserved for people with a body mass index (IMC) greater than 40 kg/m2 (morbid obesity), and suffering from at least one comorbidity, i.e. an associated disease, such as dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, sleep apnea syndrome or cardiovascular disease. In this context, the initial prescription must be carried out by a doctor specializing in endocrinology-diabetology-nutrition or holder of specialized transversal training in ‘Applied Nutrition’. Finally, it is imperative to combine taking Wegovy with a balanced diet and improved physical activity.
In a communiqué published on November 12, the French Society of Endocrinology (SFE) joins the ANSM and HAS frameworks and warns against uncontrolled use of Wegovy. “The SFE therefore calls on patients never to initiate this treatment without the support of a qualified doctor and reminds prescribers of the importance of a rigorous evaluation of indications and contraindications.. The SFE is aimed at both patients and healthcare professionals, in order to encourage responsible and supervised use, and recalls the serious side effects that can arise from the use of Wegovy.
Endocrinologists warn of “inappropriate use” of Wegovy and “potential side effects”
“Inappropriate use of Wegovy, particularly in contexts unrelated to severe obesity, carries significant health risks”, reports the SFE. “Without medical supervision, this medicine may cause serious side effects, such as digestive disorders, nutritional deficiencies or worsening of eating disorders”, indicates Dr Helena Mosbah in the same press release. This treatment requires close monitoring to adjust doses, and “integrate into treatment by a doctor specializing in endocrinology-diabetology-nutrition”.
As the ANSM warns, cases of misuse of anti-obesity drugs like Wegovy “are proven, in particular the diversion for aesthetic purposes by people for whom this treatment is not indicated (that is to say people who are not obese or overweight and who do not have weight-related health problem)”. According to SFE endocrinologists, the Under no circumstances should Wegovy be used for cosmetic purposes. A prescription that is poorly adjusted, or too high, could also “cause serious side effects and compromise the effectiveness of treatment in the long term”.
Obesity is on the rise in France, remind endocrinologists
As Inserm reminds us, the objective of taking charge ofobesity is to improve health. Weight loss “sustaining more than 10% of total weight improves many of the complications associated with obesity (e.g., prevention and control of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver, cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnea), as well as quality of life”.
In France, obesity and overweight are increasing, with 48.8% of French people affected, including 30.7% overweight and 18.1% obese, according to the union of endocrinologists. More than 1 million French people are believed to be massively obese, as the specialists point out in their press release. Obesity is a chronic disease, responsible for numerous pathologies, notably cardiovascular diseases, diabetesor many cancers, according to Inserm. A person is considered obese from a BMI greater than or equal to 35 kg/m².
Obesity is caused by too rich a diet and low physical activity, indicates Health Insurance. “Psychological or genetic factors, chronic illnesses can play a role in their occurrence”, they add. A national survey on overweight and obesity (Obépi-Roche, 2020), also highlights the link between socio-economic factors and obesity. Inserm specifies that “scientific literature reveals that overweight and obesity are generally more frequent in disadvantaged social categories.”
Sources :
- The French Society of Endocrinology warns of the importance of medical supervision for the use of Wegovy – Press release – November 12, 2024
- GLP-1 analogues and obesity: we are taking measures to secure their use in France – ANSM – November 13, 2024
- Obesity: what profile of use of Wegovy in France during its early access? – ANSM – March 19, 2024
- Wegovy (semaglutide) – Obesity, High Authority of Health, July 13, 2023
- Overweight and obesity: BMI calculation and medical assessment – Overweight and obesity in adults – Health Insurance website
- Obesity and overweight: almost one in two French people affected. State of play, prevention and therapeutic solutions – Inserm – February 20, 2023
- National epidemiological survey on overweight and obesity for the League Against Obesity on 11,827 people from September to October 2020 – Obépi-Roche 2020
