Over 18,000 New Zealanders Prescribed Wegovy Weight Loss Drug in Three Months
More than 18,000 people in New Zealand have received prescriptions for the weight-loss medication Wegovy in the past three months, signaling a significant uptake of the drug since its approval in the country.
The injectable treatment, approved in New Zealand in July, costs between $450 and $630 per month and is currently the only GLP-1 receptor agonist available specifically for weight loss. Data from Health New Zealand shows that 18,178 individuals had been dispensed at least one month’s supply between July 1 and October 29. Weight loss specialist Dr. Gerard McQuinlan described the medication as a “gamechanger,” stating, “I prescribe it pretty much every week and the impact is huge…These medications really work, they alter the brain pathways that drive obesity.”
While Wegovy is currently unfunded, making cost a “significant barrier” for many, Dr. McQuinlan hopes the government will consider funding it, similar to how statins are funded for heart disease prevention. He emphasized the importance of in-person initial consultations when obtaining a prescription, even through registered online services, noting that obesity is a chronic condition requiring long-term care. Health New Zealand guidelines restrict Wegovy prescriptions to adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, adolescents with a BMI in the 95th percentile or higher and weighing over 60kg, and individuals with a BMI of 27 or higher with weight-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes. Understanding obesity and its health impacts is crucial as rates continue to rise globally.
Common side effects include nausea, constipation, and vomiting, particularly when starting the medication. Health New Zealand officials stressed that Wegovy is intended for long-term use alongside lifestyle changes and that discontinuation often leads to weight regain, and encourage individuals to consult with their general practitioner for personalized care. The increasing demand for Wegovy highlights the growing focus on medical interventions for weight management, a trend seen in many countries, including the United States.
Health New Zealand continues to monitor the use of Wegovy and will provide further updates as more data becomes available.
