Canada Approves Wegovy to Reduce Heart Attack Risk

Canada’s health regulator has approved Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drug, Wegovy, for reducing the risk of nonfatal heart attacks, also known as myocardial infarction, in adults with established cardiovascular disease. This marks a significant milestone, as Wegovy is the first approved treatment in Canada to address both obesity and heart-related risks in this patient group.

The drug, chemically known as semaglutide, was first approved in Canada in 2021 for the treatment of obesity, reports Canada Newswire. The latest approval expands its use to patients with existing cardiovascular conditions, offering a new therapeutic option for those at higher risk of heart attacks. 

“We are very pleased that Wegovy is now approved in Canada to help people who are at risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction. Heart attacks have a profound impact on many families across our country. Wegovy is a clinically evaluated therapy that offers new hope for Canadians living with cardiovascular disease and obesity. We are dedicated to providing Canadians with innovative treatment options to support unmet needs,” said Vince Lamanna, President, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc, via the company’s press release. 

Wegovy has also gained approval in the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom for lowering the risk of heart problems and strokes in overweight and obese adults, writes Reuters. In Europe, the drug has been backed for reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events and strokes in overweight or obese adults without diabetes. These global approvals position Wegovy as a key treatment in the fight against obesity and related cardiovascular conditions.