Weight loss drug Wegovy approved to treat heart disease in overweight and obese Australian patients

<p>TGA approved new indication for semaglutide drug in December 2024, but allocation to PBS still to be decided</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/feb/18/australia-news-live-rba-reserve-bank-interest-rates-decision-oscar-jenkins-ukraine-russia-video-nsw-racial-hatred-election-campaign-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-cost-of-living-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></li><li>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></li></ul><p>A weight loss drug has been approved to treat heart disease in overweight and obese patients by Australia’s medicines regulator, in what experts say is a “new frontier for the drugs”.</p><p>The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granted approval in December 2024 for semaglutide 2.4 mg, sold under the brand name Wegovy, to be used as a complementary therapy for adults with both<strong> </strong>cardiovascular disease and high body mass index, to reduce the related risk of heart attack, stroke or death.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email</a></strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/18/weight-loss-drug-wegovy-approved-to-treat-heart-disease-in-overweight-and-obese-australian-patients-tga">Continue reading...</a>