On 8 August, the Belgian Diabetes Liga which represents the voice of Diabetes patients in Belgium called very loudly for limitation of the drug Ozempic to be limited to ONLY people with diabetes.
You can read the full article and coverage here via the VRT website (in Dutch): Diabetes League: “Preserve Ozempic for diabetes patients”, doctors: “Remedy also useful against obesity” | VRT NWS: news
Foundation for the Rights of People Living with Obesity in Belgium Reaction to VRT article Monday 8 August 2022
We are saddened by such a narrow reaction from the Diabetes community. 80% of people living with obesity go onto develop T2D and the current regulatory situation is a “lose-lose” for all concerned.
The medication has been proven to control biological markers of obesity. Just because a particular pharmacotherapy is not reimbursed in Belgium, does not mean it does not work medically-speaking. Rather than campaigning to deprive a large percentage of the population from access to much needed treatment in the acute management of their obesity (which helps to bring their insulin sensitivity back into range), the Foundation believes that this is an opportunity to start a constructive dialogue as to how to structure the regulatory system as well as the Belgian health system to allow for better access to all types of treatment and care – including pharmacotherapy solutions.
This issue is much bigger than the supply problem of one particular drug. It’s a sad indication of the medical condition of obesity not being taken seriously as the lifelong chronic condition that it is. As obesity patient advocates, we would like to ensure that people living with obesity are no longer seen as “collateral damage”.
A silo-perspective is not helpful for anyone. It is disrespecting of all the of people living with obesity who could avoid going on to develop type 2 diabetes given access to a full range of treatments.