The idea to use GLP-1s to treat childhood obesity should be relegated to the backburner, says the RACGP.
Novo Nordisk’s latest proposal – GLP-1 receptor agonists for children – has been met with concern from medical advocates.
The Ozempic manufacturer has proposed that the federal government consider an expansion of the weight-loss drugs to treat child obesity.
The RACGP, meanwhile, argued that the money that would be needed to support such an initiative would be better allocated supporting other areas of chronic condition healthcare.
“I think it’s a ticking bomb that our children and adolescents are, right now, becoming more and more obese across the world and we need to find solutions,” Novo Nordisk president and CEO Mike Doustdar said at the National Press Club this week.
“The first and foremost solutions are … healthier environments, healthier school, taking care of exercise and food intake.
“But we are also making sure that our products are being tested and tried on adolescents and making sure that they are safe, so if support and help is needed on that front it’s available.”
Novo Nordisk has also proposed a $3 million health and wellbeing initiative that would aim to provide accessible health information and programs to assist in obesity prevention.
Mr Doustdar also outlined a new initiative promoting access to physical activity and healthier food options to be trialled in the Queensland city of Logan.
“For too long, the conversation around weight has been clouded by misconception,” Mr Doustdar said.
“Obesity is not a choice, it’s a multi-faceted metabolic chronic disease that affects each person differently.
“Australia has solved big problems before, now it’s time for you to do it again.
“Australia’s economy deserves better than seeing ever larger shares of the GDP consumed by chronic disease management.”
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RACGP president Dr Michael Wright told The Medical Republic that whilst GLP-1s could be effective in mitigating childhood obesity, there were bigger fish to fry.
“Investing more in general practice prevention and keeping people well in the community, is going to be a better investment than just focusing on one medication,” Dr Wright told TMR.
“If we spend a billion dollars on these medications, that’s a billion dollars less that we’ve got to manage healthcare in the community elsewhere.
“We need to have clearer treatment pathways that provide lifestyle advice, rather than just assuming that medication is going to be able to fix it all.”
Dr Wright also reiterated the college’s stance on increased Medicare rebates to support longer GP consultation, which it argues should be the priority for boosting chronic condition care.
“For patients and GPs to understand what their options are will help the government to understand what additional supports will help people access the care that they need,” Dr Wright told TMR.
“We know that patients are increasingly needing more time with their GPs and helping patients manage weight increase and being obese.
“Having increased weight or obesity means that people often need more time with their GPs, so the college has been calling for increased Medicare rebates, particularly for longer consultations.”
