The EU has approved a higher maintenance dose of the weight-loss drug Wegovy — when might it become available in the UAE?

The European Commission recently approved a stronger 7.2mg once-weekly dose of Wegovy after a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency, allowing doctors across EU countries to prescribe a higher option for patients needing additional weight reduction. However, the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, says the approval process in the UAE is still under review with local regulators, and no timeline has been confirmed yet. Health experts note that even after international approvals, new drug formulations must undergo a separate regulatory assessment by UAE authorities, which can take several months to a year depending on documentation and compliance requirements. Clinical trials involving nearly 2,000 participants showed that the higher dose could lead to significant weight loss — in some cases around 20% of body weight over about 18 months. What do you think — would access to higher-dose obesity treatments like Wegovy make a difference in tackling rising obesity rates in the region?

Add your Comment:

+