EU Investigates Weight-Loss Drugs Amid Safety Concerns

The European Union’s drugs regulator, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), is currently reviewing the potential risk of suicidal thoughts associated with a new class of weight-loss medicines. As part of this investigation, the EMA has requested additional information from pharma companies such as Novo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly & Co.

The review was initiated by the EMA in July after receiving reports of suicidal thoughts and self-harm from individuals who were taking anti-obesity drugs. Specifically, the focus of the review is on GLP-1 treatments, which include Novo’s Wegovy weight-loss shot and its diabetes medicine Ozempic. These drugs have been highly successful in the pharmaceutical market.

In a recent statement, the EMA’s safety committee revealed that it has carefully examined all clinical trial evidence and published literature related to the subject. However, the committee emphasized that no definitive conclusions can be drawn at this point regarding a causal association between the weight-loss drugs and suicidal thoughts. There are still several issues that need to be clarified.

The committee has compiled a list of further questions to be addressed by the manufacturers of these medicines. The topic will be discussed again at the committee’s meeting in April.

GLP-1 drugs have been used for over 15 years as treatments for diabetes, but their use for weight loss is relatively recent. The EMA’s investigation also includes dulaglutide, the active ingredient in Lilly’s diabetes medicine Trulicity, as well as AstraZeneca Plc’s diabetes drug Byetta.

A spokesperson for Lilly stated that patient safety is their top priority and they will continue to cooperate with the regulatory reviews. It is important to note that this story has been published from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by NDTV staff, except for the headline.