Aamal, Novo Nordisk join forces to bring weight management drug Wegovy to Qatar
Doha
Ebn Sina Medical, a subsidiary of Aamal Company and a leading supplier of pharmaceutical, and Novo Nordisk, the Danish leading global healthcare company renowned for its expertise in treating chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, announced the availability of Wegovy (Semaglutide 2.4mg) in Qatar.
The event was attended by HE Anders Bjørn Hansen, the Ambassador of Denmark to the UAE and Qatar, Aamal Company CEO Rashid Al Mansoori, in the presence of Manvendra Singh, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Qatar and Dr. Nayla Mansour, Commercial Director on behalf of Essam Faragalla, General Manager of Ebn Sina Medical.
Wegovy (Semaglutide 2.4mg), the first and only once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) indicated for chronic weight management in adults and adolescents ages 12 years and above1, is now available in Qatar.
Obesity has emerged as a significant global epidemic, affecting approximately 1 billion individuals world-wide2. Obesity in the Gulf is rapidly unfolding with the highest rates globally3.
In Qatar, the obesity crisis is particularly severe, the current prevalence of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) amongst adults in Qatar is estimated to be 41% with a notably higher prevalence amongst women (46%) and, nearly 76% of individuals in Qatar are classified as overweight; this places Qatar among the top 10 highest obesity rates in the world4,5,.
The high rates of obesity and overweight in Qatar are linked to the high-country overall rates of related chronic conditions such as pre-diabetes, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) 6.
The active ingredient in Wegovy, Semaglutide 2.4 mg, works by reducing hunger and increasing the feeling of fullness 1,7.
Wegovy is indicated as adjunct to reduced calorie intake and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance in adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) or with overweight (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity.
As per clinical research, Wegovy on top of diet and exercise delivers 17% mean weight loss sustained over 2 years with one third of patients having a reduction of at least 20% body weight loss 1,8,9,10.
Semaglutide 2.4 mg demonstrated significant improvements in other cardiometabolic risk factors such as: waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid profile, Glycemic parameters & C-reactive protein.
The SELECT clinical study including 17,604 adults with a BMI ≥27 kg/m2 demonstrated that Semaglutide 2.4 mg resulted in a statistically significant 20% risk reduction in Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) in people with overweight or obesity and established CVD, without T2DM1,15.
Besides its indication in adults, Wegovy is also approved as the first and only once weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) for chronic weight management in adolescents with obesity from the age of 12 years1.
This innovation may help transform the medical management of adolescent obesity in Qatar, where nearly 20% of children and adolescents are affected.6;11 During the event, Rashid bin Ali Al Mansoori, Aamal Company CEO, welcomed the attendees and highlighted this major step forward in addressing this public health challenge.
He emphasized Aamal's commitment to advancing healthcare innovation and infrastructure in Qatar, through its subsidiaries such as Ebn Sina Medical in alignment with the country's National Health Strategy and Vision 2030, and reaffirmed Aamal's dedication to supporting access to the latest healthcare solutions that can positively impact the lives of individuals and the health of our wider community.
From Novo Nordisk's side, Manvendra Singh, General Manager Novo Nordisk Qatar said: 'At Novo Nordisk, we are proud to bring over 100 years of global leadership in chronic disease management and 25 years of dedicated obesity research to Qatar.
The availability of Wegovy marks a significant step in addressing obesity as a serious, chronic disease. As Qatar continues to face high rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, our collaboration with Ebn Sina is vital. Together, we are committed to strengthening the healthcare landscape and improving patient outcomes through innovative, science-driven solutions.'
Ebn Sina Medical General Manager Essam Faragalla added: 'At Ebn Sina Medical, we are committed to ensuring that the people of Qatar have access to world-class healthcare solutions.
This partnership with Novo Nordisk marks a significant milestone in our journey to address the rising prevalence of obesity and related health complications in the country. We enjoy a long-standing relationship with Novo Nordisk and share a unified vision to prioritize patient-centric care.
The introduction of Wegovy reflects our continuous drive to deliver innovative treatments and reinforces our role as a trusted healthcare partner aligned with Qatar's National Health Strategy.'
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