IrelandThe Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland has been advised by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) to consider public funding for Wegovy, a weight-loss drug containing semaglutide. While the NCPE found Wegovy to be clinically effective across various patient groups, it warned that the financial burden of widespread access would be substantial, estimating a cost of €4.4 billion over five years if available to up to one million people. Even restricting eligibility to individuals with severe obesity (BMI over 40) and related conditions would still result in a €265 million cost over five years. The NCPE emphasized that while Wegovy is cost-effective compared to other drugs like Mounjaro, affordability remains a critical factor in any decision on reimbursement.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the findings of the NCPE in a balanced manner, highlighting both the clinical effectiveness of Wegovy and the significant financial implications of public funding. It does not favor one side over another, providing data on costs, eligibility criteria, and comparisons with other,
