A leading paediatric endocrinologist is calling on New Zealand’s drug agency, Pharmac, to fund the weight loss medication Wegovy for teenagers struggling with severe obesity.
The advisory panel for Pharmac has provisionally recommended funding Wegovy (semaglutide) for chronic weight management in adults with high body mass index (BMI) and related health conditions. The drug, which first became available in New Zealand in July last year, currently costs around $460 per month. Funding would be subject to Special Authority criteria, restricting who can be prescribed the medication.
Professor Wayne Cutfield, of the Liggins Institute, told Checkpoint that many teenagers could benefit from access to the medication. “These are teenagers who weigh between 120 and 150 kilograms—14 to 16-year-olds. Most of them will gain between half a kilogram and a kilogram a month, year on year. By the time they’re 45, their obesity will be much more severe,” he said.
Cutfield warned that failing to fund Wegovy for adolescents would be like “closing the gate after the horse has bolted.” He said the drug could help prevent serious long-term health complications such as heart attacks, strokes, severe diabetes, and liver disease.
Real-world studies of Wegovy users have shown that weight can quickly return once the medication is stopped, as the drug works primarily by suppressing appetite. Cutfield emphasized the importance of lifestyle changes alongside treatment, saying teenagers need to learn healthier eating habits and increase physical activity to sustain weight loss and potentially reduce lifelong dependence on the drug.
Currently, teenagers with severe obesity have limited treatment options. Bariatric surgery is generally not available to this group, leaving Wegovy as one of the few potential interventions. “If they’re not included in funding, they will continue to gain weight and face serious obesity-related complications,” Cutfield said.
The high cost of Wegovy raises concerns about equity. Cutfield argued that the long-term benefits of funding the medication could outweigh the upfront costs, citing potential savings from preventing chronic diseases, hospitalizations, and lost productivity due to obesity-related health issues.
Pharmac has not confirmed whether teenagers will be eligible if funding is approved. Dr. David Hughes, Pharmac’s director of device and assessment, said age is typically not a deciding factor in funding decisions unless there is strong clinical evidence. The full record of the advisory group’s recommendations is expected to be released in March 2026.
Pharmac has previously received two funding applications for Wegovy: one in September for individuals with established cardiovascular disease and a BMI of 27 or higher, and another in October for chronic weight management in people with a BMI of 30 or higher and at least one weight-related comorbidity.
New Zealand currently ranks as having the third-highest adult obesity rate among OECD countries, highlighting the urgency of effective interventions.
