Doctors can prescribe diet pills for children
On Tuesday, TV 2 wrotethe Lankan medicine Wegovy is available to Norwegians.
For the time being, it is only in Norway, Denmark and the USA that it is possible to get help, which from individual doctors and experts has been referred to as a “revolution” in the treatment of overweight and obesity.
In principle, Wegovy is approved for people with a BMI over 30, or BMI over 27 in addition to at least one weight-related disease.
Stands free
But initially only available on white prescription in Norway. This means that the patients themselves have to pay.
The doctors then have a separate responsibility for following up on the patients.
– The patient must also be informed that it is outside of approval and that there are other alternatives, says head of the Norwegian Association for General Medicine, Marte Kvittum Tangen, to TV 2.
I also mean that Norwegian doctors freely decide who they should prescribe for practice. So called «off label» prescribing.
– I have great faith in wise medical decisions being made before a medication is prescribed, says Kvittum Tangen.
Prepared for high demand
The Association of General Practitioners says that at the beginning they do not fear that it may become “free game” with the release of the coveted slimming medicine.
– We know how to make individual assessments, where benefits and risks are carefully assessed. We all have clearer guidelines that also take these new Tan wishes into account, says Kvittum.
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However, she is prepared for the fact that this is going to be a medicine that many will ask for when they come to the doctor.
– This quickly becomes known, and the weight has always been something that is very concerned about. If you can find an “easy” solution to lose weight, many people are interested in it, says Kvittum Tangen.
Can be printed out for children
Although Wegovy is only approved for use by adults, Norwegian players are also free to print singles for children if they wish.
– Prescribing to children under the age of 18 is outside of approved use and entails a separate responsibility for treated children, says acting unit manager Rita Hvalbye in the Medicines Agency.
In order for a medicine to be offered on a blue prescription, the Norwegian Medicines Agency must assess whether the costs are in a reasonable relationship with the health effects the medicine provides.
– As far as Wegovy is concerned, we are well underway with this assessment, but it has not been completed yet. It is too early to say what the outcome of this assessment will be, says Hvalbye.
Warns against overtreatment
If the costs linked to reimbursement exceed DKK 100 million per year, it is the Ministry of Health and Welfare that must decide whether the medicine must be offered on a blue prescription.
The General Medical Association says one way to regulate the use of Wegovy is to make it available on blue prescription. Then the doctors have to follow the indication set for the medicine.
– But we are also concerned that this should not be a medicine that is offered to all patients with overweight or obesity, that would be overtreatment, says Kvittum Tangen.
The play top is clear that this action does not contribute to overweight and obesity.
– It must also be treatment to prevent diseases, not just for cosmetic effect.