Like a rising actor, a popular drug just booked another big gig.
What happened: Health Canada approved Ozempic for use to reduce the risk of kidney decline, kidney failure, and heart-related deaths in patients with Type 2 diabetes. The green light comes after a global peer-reviewed effectiveness study that included a Canadian trial.
- The study found the risk of suffering kidney failure or significant deterioration was 24% lower for participants who took Ozempic compared to those taking a placebo.
- Up to 50% of people with Type 2 diabetes develop a chronic kidney disease; preventive care could help deter the need for costly and intense dialysis treatment.
Why it matters: This is the first example of Canada expanding the use case of Ozempic since first approving the drug seven years ago. It could be the first step towards a future where it and other GLP-1 class drugs could be used to treat a broader range of conditions.
- Like a utility player in baseball, GLP-1 class drugs have a wide skill set waiting to be untapped, with clinical studies demonstrating potential effectiveness for managing substance abuse, improving sleep apnea, and even staving off cognitive decline.
Yes, but: It’s important to keep expectations in check: GLP-1 drugs won’t be miracle cure-alls. Many doctors remain skeptical about the long-term effectiveness without continued use, and argue that the other positive effects are just by-products of weight loss.—QH