Dr Nanette Ryan1
1Centre For Biomedical Ethics, NUS, , Singapore
Biography:
Dr Nanette Ryan is a research fellow at CBmE, and a member of the Paediatrics Ethics and Advocacy Committee (PEACe) that operates within the National University Children’s Medical Institute, Singapore. Her primary research interests lie at the intersection of ethics and childhood development.
Abstract:
Semaglutide, sold under the brand names of Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, is one of the most well-known drugs currently on the market. Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, semaglutide is the newest in a family of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists used most commonly to treat type 2 diabetes. While the results of semaglutide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes have been overwhelmingly positive, it is for the drug's effects on appetite suppression and weight loss, that have led to a surge in its popularity with many hailing semaglutide as the new ‘miracle drug for weight loss’ and ‘the end of obesity. To date, Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, are widely approved for adult use in countries including the US, UK, and many countries within the European Union. Only Wegovy, however, has been approved for pediatric use, and for the purpose of treating obesity in childhood. In this paper we examine a collection of ethical considerations with respect to prescribing Wegovy for pediatric use, and we argue that, despite the risks and unknowns, Wegovy should be considered alongside other health-focused initiatives as an effective healthcare intervention for children.