Novo Nordisk launches Wegovy in Malaysia as new option for obesity management
Wegovy® (semaglutide 2.4 mg) offers a new treatment option for adults living with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related health condition.
KUALA LUMPUR – For many Malaysians, losing weight is not simply a matter of willpower, but a long and often frustrating struggle shaped by biology, environment and stigma.
Against this backdrop, global healthcare company Novo Nordisk has introduced Wegovy® (semaglutide 2.4 mg) in Malaysia, offering a new treatment option for adults living with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related health condition.
The launch comes at a critical time.
Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 shows that nearly 54.4 per cent of Malaysian adults are living with overweight or obesity, a condition linked to more than 200 medical complications, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which significantly affect quality of life and life expectancy.
Novo Nordisk Malaysia general manager Dr Praful Chakkarwar said Wegovy represents more than just a new medication, but a shift in how obesity should be understood and managed.
“With Wegovy®, we are introducing an effective weight-loss treatment that supports patients along their health journey.
“It reflects our long-term commitment to redefining obesity care through science, partnerships and public engagement,” he said during a recent keynote address.
Dr Praful stressed that obesity remains widely misunderstood, often dismissed as a lifestyle choice rather than recognised as a chronic disease influenced by genetics, biology, behaviour and environment.
This misconception, he said, has fuelled stigma that prevents many individuals from seeking timely medical care.
“Behind every statistic is a person, a colleague, a family member, or even ourselves. We need to move away from blame and towards action, empathy and evidence-based treatment,” he added.
Wegovy is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection that mimics the natural hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate appetite and cravings. Clinical trials have shown that at least one in three patients achieved more than 20 per cent weight loss, with 84 per cent of the weight reduction coming from fat mass rather than muscle, a key measure of quality weight loss.
Studies also indicate a reduction in food cravings and a 20 per cent decrease in major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes among people living with obesity.
Experts emphasised that medication alone is not a standalone solution.
Malaysian Obesity Society (MYOS) president and consultant endocrinologist Professor Dr Rohana Abdul Ghani highlighted that effective obesity management must address both physical and emotional barriers.
“Obesity is not a failure of discipline. It is a complex biological, behavioural and environmental condition and misunderstanding it only deepens self-blame and stigma,” she said, calling for a more holistic and compassionate approach to care.
Echoing this, Emeritus Professor Dr Chan Siew Pheng stressed the importance of multidisciplinary care involving doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists, nurse educators and mental health professionals to ensure sustainable outcomes.
Customer Experience Department director and senior consultant cardiologist Datuk Seri Dr Azhari Rosman also warned of the strong link between obesity and heart disease, stressing that effective obesity management is crucial to improving national health outcomes.
Novo Nordisk Malaysia said the introduction of Wegovy marks an important step in expanding access to comprehensive obesity care, reinforcing the need for medical supervision, lifestyle support and continued efforts to address stigma.
As obesity rates continue to rise, healthcare leaders agree that Malaysia stands at a turning point, one that requires coordinated action across policy, healthcare, community and media to ensure that effective treatments translate into meaningful, long-term health improvements.
Download Sinar Daily application.Click Here!
