"Medicare Expands Coverage for Obesity Drug Wegovy, Excludes Weight Loss Use"

The weight loss drug Wegovy, a form of semaglutide, has been approved by the FDA for use in treating obesity and diabetes, and will now be available to Medicare patients to reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will fund prescriptions of the medication through plans administered by private insurers, citing evidence of its ability to lower the chance of major cardiovascular events. However, concerns have been raised about its high cost and potential side effects, including slowed gastric movement and psychiatric events.