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News & Trends - Pharmaceuticals

Novo Nordisk summit calls for a collective vision on obesity

Health Industry Hub | October 31, 2024 |

Pharma News: The Novo Nordisk Summit gathered local delegates from hearts4heart, Australian Patient Advocacy Alliance (APAA), and the Australian Diabetes Society (ADS), in Copenhagen. The two-day event for A Collective Vision for Obesity brought together diverse stakeholders to reinforce collaboration in tackling the mounting challenges associated with obesity.

Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is the first GLP-1 receptor agonist available for chronic weight management. As Professor John Dixon, Vice President of the National Association of Clinical Obesity Services (NACOS), recently put it, “What we’ve had is a situation where people living with obesity have been shamed, blamed and told that they’re not really worthy of treatment.”

Tanya Hall, CEO of hearts4heart, emphasised the Summit’s potential to drive long-term impact, stating, “The Summit for A Collective Vision for Obesity was an opportunity to address obesity to benefit future generations, family well-being and workforce participation. Obesity is a critical risk factor of heart disease and serious complications such as heart attacks.”

She added, “It was a pleasure to connect with other patient organisations across the globe and be inspired by their passion and dedication to improving health outcomes for those living with obesity.”

Throughout the Summit, stakeholders delved into health equity for those affected by obesity, the cost-effectiveness of obesity interventions, and the need for policy change to recognise obesity as a chronic disease. Discussions also highlighted the latest scientific advancements in obesity treatment and management.

A keynote speech by Robyn Littlewood, CEO of Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQ), showcased Queensland’s community-led initiatives aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and obesity prevention. Engaging with Novo Nordisk’s global CEO, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, Littlewood highlighted HWQ’s pioneering work on the global stage.

The event also explored comparative research from Germany, France, Japan, Canada, and Brazil, focusing on three key societal areas affected by obesity: family well-being, future generations, and workforce participation. These focus areas, the Summit emphasised, represent critical points for structural interventions to shift the conversation from individual responsibility to collective accountability in promoting health and respect.

In a recent interview with Health Industry Hub, Cem Ozenc, Corporate Vice President & General Manager, Oceania at Novo Nordisk, confronted the stark reality of obesity as a chronic disease and shed light on the severe gaps in Australia’s approach to this escalating health crisis.

“A [National Obesity Strategy] strategy means nothing if we don’t resource it and if we don’t put the right political leadership behind it,” Ozenc stated.

Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk faces legal challenges in the US related to Wegovy’s adverse side effects. With these issues at the forefront, the company remains focused on building the right strategy to ensure that the right patients that would benefit most from Wegovy have access to it.

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