Tue Sep 17 05:30:56 UTC 2024: ## Ozempic: “Wonder Drug” May Be Expanded, Says Irish Health Minister

**Dublin, Ireland** – Ireland’s Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has expressed openness to expanding the use of Ozempic, a drug containing semaglutide, to more groups after emerging evidence suggests it may be a “wonder drug.”

Donnelly acknowledged new research from the Yale School of Medicine indicating that semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have wider health benefits than initially thought, potentially slowing down biological ageing.

While currently licensed only for treating type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is increasingly being used for weight loss. The minister stated that the company supplying the drug can apply for its use to be expanded to include other conditions, and the HSE (Health Service Executive) would then evaluate the application and conduct a cost-benefit analysis.

However, the HSE currently does not reimburse the cost of Ozempic for weight loss, as it is only licensed for diabetes treatment. Those using the drug for weight loss must pay over €140 per month.

The HSE also cited supply issues for Ozempic, attributing them to increased global demand and manufacturing constraints.

This development comes as the UK’s NHS is considering expanding access to Ozempic for millions more people based on the new research. Donnelly’s openness to similar action in Ireland suggests a potential shift in how this drug is viewed and used in the future.

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