David Richards’ Post

Is this a good story or marketing hype and froth on the cappuccino? Without the details of the study, it is very difficult to say. Why? Because the key determinant that is not mentioned is not absolute risk reduction, but relative additional risk reduction over a statin. In other words, statins have proven risk reductions for heart attack and stroke. They are now generic, which means they are cheap. So what we need to ask is: "If these obese patients with cardiovascular risks greater than 20% are put on a statin (NICE guidelines), then what extra reduction is achieved by adding in semaglutide (expensive), and is that additional risk reduction cost-effective?" This question is not answered. If I were NICE assessors, I'd guess the additional risk reduction over a statin is very small and unlikely to be cost-effective. I've been around too long in this "game" to know that the easy comparator is placebo. The real comparator is the current standard of care in cardiovascular risk reduction (statin and ACE inhibitor or ARB for hypertension). Were patients excluded in this SELECT trial if they were hypertensive and/or taking a statin? Without such forensic examination, it may be just marketing hype because it may not represent clinical management of risks. As always, the devil is in the detail. Don't get too excited just yet. I'll stick to my cocktail of 20mg atorvastatin and an ACE inhibitor, thank you - shaken, not stirred. #obesity #cardiovascularrisk #semaglutide

🚨 We've approved semaglutide (Wegovy) to reduce risk of serious heart problems in obese or overweight adults This medicine, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, was already approved for use in the treatment of obesity and for weight management, to be used alongside diet, physical activity and behavioural support. The approval means that semaglutide is the first weight loss drug to be prescribed to prevent cardiovascular events, such as cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack and non-fatal stroke, in people with established cardiovascular disease and a Body Mass Index (BMI) higher or equal to 27 kg/m2. Our Deputy Director of Innovative Medicines, Shirley Hopper, said: "Our key priority is enabling access to high quality, safe and effective medical products. “We’re assured that the appropriate regulatory standards of safety, quality and effectiveness for the approval of this medicine have been met. This treatment option that prevents heart disease and strokes is an important step forward in tackling the serious health consequences of obesity. “As with all medicines, we will keep its safety under close review.’’ Find out more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4fiWJGP

https://lnkd.in/ea2R6Yw3 A couple of news features caught my attention recently. First, a European study concluding that overweight and obese people are significantly more likely to take time off work because they are ill than colleagues who are a healthy weight. Second, research suggesting that "obesity jabs could cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people even if they fail to lose much weight, according to an analysis of a study funded by a drug manufacturer." Whilst medication may have an important role to play in tackling obesity in some cases, I think it would be inappropriate to see this as a panacea for the sickness absence problem, and more focus needs to be placed on preventing the problem 'upstream' rather than treating it 'downstream'. A statement from the Professor who led the study into the efficacy of 'obesity jabs' also caught my eye: "We now have this class of drugs which could....transform many chronic diseases of ageing..." Is the ageing process really the cause of chronic disease, or is chronic disease attributable to the lifestyle choices and health behaviours that we choose along the way....?

I have two things to say about this news article. 1. A lot of ink has been used to talk about these new drugs and not always in the most helpful way, revealing the deep and intrinsic bias our society has against obesity, and too often omitting their therapeutic purpose. These anti-obesity drugs are a game changer for many people with cardio-metabolic risks. 2. BBC News, do you really think this picture is the best choice to illustrate your headline? Can't we talk about heart health and obesity without headless and helpless people with obesity? If you need inspiration on non-stigmatising images, check this ECPObesity image bank (link in comment). https://lnkd.in/gy9nC4bK

Another very important paper just published in Hypertension regarding the recently approved weight loss drug, tirzepatide. Using state-of-the-art method to evaluate blood pressure, it showed a significant reduction in mean systolic 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, further supporting that the administration of these agents brings about additional clinical benefits, on top of massive weight loss. https://lnkd.in/edniNgfj

It was nice to give some perspective on BBC News and DailyMail.com on the recent data from the SELECT trial and how the new data on CArdiovascular risk reduction mortality of up to 20 percent with semeglutide in diabetic, obese patients with prior cardiovascular risk . It’s important to acknowledge no doubt this is a big addition to our armoury against obesity , diabetes and chronic disease management , but it is not the be all and end all, we must look at the patient holistically and use these new therapies in a stratified manner. The population health economics has not been modelled fully yet, and this is something we certainly need more understanding on the mechanism of action of the GLP-1 agonists and how cardiac protection is conferred directly so to be better guided on how the biology is really being impacted. #obesity #SELECTtrial #semaglutide #cardiovascularrisk #cardiology #CV #populationhealth #GLP1 #diabetes #precisionhealth #ozempic #wegovy https://lnkd.in/e3qrgDUx

Unveiling Tomorrow's Triumph: The Radiant Future of Diabetic Neuropathy Worldwide. The diabetic neuropathy market, as analyzed by Pharmanucleus, showcases a projected robust 6.9% CAGR from 2023 to 2030, escalating from USD 3876.6 Million in 2022 to an estimated USD 6611.08 Million by 2030. With approximately 50% of global diabetes patients and 6 to 7 out of 1,000 individuals in the US affected, the market anticipates substantial growth driven by the expanding diabetic and aging populations. This surge in demand for neuropathy treatments presents opportunities for medical advancements and interventions. The market dynamics highlight the development of new drugs, increasing product approvals from major players like Pfizer and Averitas Pharma, and the influence of lifestyle changes, smoking habits, and strategic collaborations among market entities, setting the stage for an evolving landscape focused on enhanced neuropathy management and treatment solutions. Free PDF for complete Information - https://lnkd.in/gqS6aGPC #heathcare #diabetes

New findings reveal the power of combining GLP-1 with other medications for better weight loss results! 📝 GLP-1 analogue therapy alone leads to significant weight loss, with patients losing an average of 11.42 kg over 12 months. ❗ Adding bupropion/naltrexone to GLP-1 therapy boosts weight loss even further, especially for those who initially didn’t respond well to GLP-1 alone. 💉 The study highlights the importance of personalized treatment plans, showing that different patient responses can guide more effective medication strategies. We also embrace combining treatments like bupropion/naltrexone with GLP-1, recognizing the importance of customized care at Enara Health. However, it’s crucial to consider the risks and costs associated with multi-drug treatments too. We advocate for not relying solely on medications but also for developing sustainable lifestyle habits for long-term health. Maintaining balance is essential to optimize obesity management. Link to the study by James Naude, Ali Zentner, MD, FRCPC: https://lnkd.in/gHTWKAMa #ObesityTreatment #HealthInnovation #WeightLoss #GLP1 #Semaglutide #Tirzepatide #Ozempic #Zepbound #Mounjaro #Wegovy #Liraglutide #Obesity #Weight #Health #Healthcare #Lifestyle #Therapy #Drug #HealthyHabits #Naltrexone #Bupropion #InternationalJournalofObesity #Habits #Bariatric Novo Nordisk

Is Digital Therapeutics A Game Changer for Diabetes and Obesity Management? The rise of digital health tools has brought a new wave of innovation to chronic disease management. Digital therapeutics (DTx) software-based programs that have been clinically proven to prevent, manage, or even treat medical conditions. In the fight against diabetes and obesity, DTx offers a new approach. 📱 DTx apps can improve self-management, providing personalized education, reminders for medication and blood sugar checks, and real-time feedback on diet and exercise. This empowers patients to take a more active role in their health. Studies have shown that DTx programs can lead to significant reductions in HbA1c, a key marker of blood sugar control. This can translate to fewer complications associated with diabetes. When looking at the landscape of DTx ventures that have a focus on diabetes and obesity (some addressing multiple therapeutic areas) we see that since 2019, these companies have attracted significant investment, raising over $1.1 billion. With 15 ventures securing funding in the past 12 months These DTx players are also forging strong collaborations, with over 150 partnerships established in recent years. Uncover more insights on DTx in diabetes & obesity and on ventures like Beta Bionics and Click Therapeutics, Inc.. #digitalhealth #healthcare #healthcareinnovation #diabetes #DTx #obesity

Semaglutide medications have the potential to be a valuable tool for weight management in the NHS, but their use should be carefully considered and monitored in collaboration with a healthcare professional as part of a specialist weight management service. UCL's newest study suggests that weight loss injections could reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, irrespective of how much a person may lose. 4.2 million people are eligible across the country for these medications, but current NHS supply can only support 35,000 places on a specialist service. True obesity treatment centres around a personalised, long-term approach, as well as prioritising ongoing management for the disease. Funding and access to services needs to reflect this. The future of healthcare is a mixed model, ensuring that everyone has access to the right care for their needs, at the time they need it. With this approach, we can ensure that people living with diabetes and obesity have access to the best possible treatments to improve their health and well-being in the long term. Research > https://lnkd.in/gPvauA_k If you'd like to discuss how Oviva could support the delivery and management of obesity medications within your ICB, leave a comment below or get in touch here: https://lnkd.in/eTXiQ94C