Health Canada announced Wednesday that an injection agent is now approved to treat adults for obesity and risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Wegovy® is the first-and-only medication indicated for both chronic weight management and to reduce the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) in Canada.
The product is distributed as a semaglutide injection pen to help people living with obesity, which is a risk factor for heart disease, said the news release. Semaglutide medication works by helping an individual control their appetite. The medication is a product of Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. Wegovy® is the first-and-only medication indicated for both chronic weight management and to reduce the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) in Canada, said the company. .\
"The prevalence of obesity, which increases the risk of serious chronic illness including heart disease, has grown over the last two decades. According to self-reported data from the 2022 Canadian Community Health survey, close to one in three Canadian adults are living with obesity. Canadians living with obesity are more than twice as likely to have heart disease than those with a healthy weight," said the release from Novo Nordisk Canada.
Myocardial infarction, commonly referred to as a heart attack, is the most common manifestation of ischemic heart disease, said the release.
In Canada, heart disease is the second leading cause of death and a leading cause of hospitalization. It's estimated that 9 in 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor for stroke, heart disease, or vascular cognitive impairment including: sex, age, diabetes, family history and Indigenous, South Asian and African family heritage, said the release On average, men are two-times more likely than women to suffer a first acute myocardial infarction, and the incidence is steadily increasing across Canada.