Dr. Ali Zentner, a diabetes and obesity specialist at Revolution Medical Clinic in Vancouver, has started a petition urging the inclusion of weight management medications in British Columbia’s drug plan.
These medications include semaglutide and liraglutide, better known by the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, manufactured by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, among others. These antidiabetic and anti-obesity drugs can cost patients up to $450 per month.
The petition states that patients must pay for these medications out of pocket or obtain coverage through third-party insurance, creating a two-tier system for obesity care in British Columbia.
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Dr. Ali Zentner has started a petition calling on British Columbia to cover certain obesity medications under its provincial drug plan.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Joel Law
Other Health Risks
Dr. Ali Zentner argues that the treatments needed to address the serious health problems patients can develop due to obesity are even more expensive.
According to 2022 data from Statistics Canada, 26% of adults in British Columbia are obese, compared to the national average of 30%.
In her petition, Dr. Ali Zentner asserts that obesity is a disease and not the patient’s fault. She emphasizes that current treatments for obesity, including Canadian-approved medications, are highly effective.
She declares, “The days of telling patients to figure it out for themselves are over.”
Today we are talking regarding real medical treatments and we are getting impressive results that go far beyond weight loss.
A quote from Dr. Ali Zentner
Dr. Ali Zentner adds that obesity treatments have yielded positive results in mitigating other health risks.
Dr. Tom Elliott, medical director of BC Diabetes, states that obesity is a risk factor for health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and sleep apnea. He emphasizes the importance of prevention, noting that treating these conditions can be costly.
Almost Miraculous
Emily Henry, a member of the Ochapowace Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan, signed the petition. She is one of Dr. Ali Zentner’s patients.
She remembers growing up without much food in a family of 12. “I remember [my mother’s] face and the fact that she was always hungry,” she said.
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Emily Henry, whose traditional name is kihci têpakohp iskotêw iskwêw, is one of Dr. Ali Zentner’s patients who signed the petition.
Photo: Courtesy of Emily Henry
When she gained access to food later in life, Emily Henry says she struggled with feelings of dissatisfaction. She battled obesity throughout much of her adult life.
I developed type 2 diabetes, like all my siblings.
A quote from Emily Henry, a patient of Dr. Ali Zentner
Emily Henry has been taking Ozempic for over a year. She describes the results as “almost miraculous,” noting a significant drop in her blood pressure and improvement in her diabetes. Because it is a diabetes treatment, her provincial drug plan covers it.
However, her insurance does not currently cover the medications she takes to manage her weight.
Approved, But Not Covered for Weight Management
In a statement to CBC/Radio-Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Health confirmed that Ozempic is covered only for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, not for weight loss. They added that Health Canada has approved semaglutide, under the name Wegovy, for chronic weight management in adult patients.
However, the Canadian Drug Agency has recommended that provincial and territorial drug plans, such as BC PharmaCare, not cover the drug because the application for approval did not assess the prevention of weight-related health risks.
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Prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is also a big hit with people trying to lose weight. (File photo)
The ministry acknowledged a study published in 2023 in the New England Journal of Medicine, which demonstrated that semaglutide reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. They stated that this new evidence must be submitted to the Canadian Drug Agency for evaluation.
Dr. Ali Zentner informed CBC/Radio-Canada that her petition has garnered nearly 1,000 signatures but has not yet been sent to the government.
With information from Belle Puri
B.C. Obesity Medications Should be Covered by Provincial Drug Plan, Petition Says
Dr. Ali Zentner, a diabetes and obesity specialist at Revolution Medical Clinic in Vancouver, has started a petition calling for weight management medications to be included in B.C.’s drug plan.
These drugs include semaglutide and liraglutide, better known under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, from manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, among others. These are antidiabetic and anti-obesity drugs that can cost patients up to $450 per month.
The petition says patients must pay for these medications out of pocket or get coverage through third-party insurance. “So we have created a two-tier system for obesity care in B.C.,” the petition says.
Dr. Ali Zentner has started a petition calling on British Columbia to cover certain obesity medications under its provincial drug plan.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Joel Law
Other health risks
Even more expensive, says Dr. Ali Zentner, are the treatments needed to address the serious health problems patients can develop as a result of obesity.
In British Columbia, 26% of adults are obese, according to 2022 data from Statistics Canada. The national average is 30%.
In her petition, Dr. Ali Zentner states that obesity is a disease and is not the patient’s fault. She adds that current treatments for obesity, including Canadian-approved medications, are very effective.
The days of telling patients to figure it out for themselves are over, the doctor says.
Today we are talking regarding real medical treatments and we are getting impressive results that go far beyond weight loss.
A quote from Dr. Ali Zentner
Dr. Ali Zentner adds that obesity treatments have led to positive results regarding other health risks.
According to Dr. Tom Elliott, medical director of BC Diabetes, obesity is a risk factor for health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and sleep apnea. He says treating these conditions can be costly, making prevention important.
Almost miraculous
Emily Henry, a member of the Ochapowace Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan, signed the petition. She is one of Dr. Ali Zentner’s patients.
She remembers growing up without much food, in a family of 12. “I remember the face [de ma mère] and the fact that she was always hungry,” she said.
Emily Henry, whose traditional name is kihci têpakohp iskotêw iskwêw, is one of Dr. Ali Zentner’s patients who signed the petition.
Photo: Courtesy of Emily Henry
When she was able to have easy access to food later in life, Emily Henry says she was never satisfied. She struggled with obesity for much of her adult life.
I developed type 2 diabetes, like all my siblings.
A quote from Emily Henry, a patient of Dr. Ali Zentner
Emily Henry has been taking the drug Ozempic for more than a year. “It’s been almost miraculous to see her blood pressure drop and her diabetes improve,” she says. Because it’s a diabetes treatment, she says her provincial drug plan covers it.
However, insurance does not currently cover the medications she takes to manage her weight.
Approved, but not covered for weight management
In a statement to CBC/Radio-Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Health confirmed that Ozempic is only covered for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and not for weight loss. It added that Health Canada has approved semaglutide, under the name Wegovy, for chronic weight management in adult patients.
However, the Canadian Drug Agency has recommended that provincial and territorial drug plans, such as BC PharmaCare, not cover the drug because the application for approval did not assess the prevention of weight-related health risks.
Prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is also a big hit with people trying to lose weight. (File photo)
The ministry said it took note of a study published in 2023 in the New England Journal of Medicine which shows that the drug semaglutide reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. But he says this new evidence must be submitted to the Canadian Drug Agency for evaluation.
Dr. Ali Zentner told CBC/Radio-Canada that her petition has received nearly 1,000 signatures, but it has not yet been sent to the government.
With information from Belle Puri
Obesity Medications: A Look at the Pros and Cons
While weight management medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have shown promise in treating obesity and related health conditions, it’s important to consider both their benefits and potential drawbacks.
Benefits:
- Significant weight loss and improved body composition.
- Reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other obesity-related conditions.
- Improved blood sugar control in individuals with diabetes.
- Improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Enhanced quality of life and overall well-being.
Potential Drawbacks:
- Side effects like nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea.
- Possible risks of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and kidney problems (rare).
- High cost, especially without insurance coverage.
- Potential for dependence on medication and potential weight regain if discontinued.
- Not a long-term solution without lifestyle changes (diet and exercise).
If you are considering weight management medication, it’s crucial to discuss your options and risks with your healthcare provider. They can help you determine if these medications are right for you and provide guidance on managing potential side effects and achieving long-term success.
Weight Management Medications: A Two-Tier System?
The fact that obesity medications are available but not covered by provincial drug plans for weight management raises concerns regarding a two-tier system for obesity care. This implies that individuals who can afford these medications have access to better treatment options compared to those who cannot.
This situation highlights the need for broader access to these medications for patients struggling with obesity. The cost barrier can significantly impact a person’s ability to manage their weight and improve their overall health.
Obesity: A Complex and Costly Issue
Obesity is a complex and chronic condition that requires a multifaceted approach to treatment, including lifestyle modifications, medication, and often, surgery. The cost of treating obesity extends beyond medications and includes:
- Doctor visits and consultations
- Nutritional counseling
- Weight loss programs and support groups
- Surgery (in some cases)
By covering weight management medications through provincial drug plans, governments can help to reduce the financial burden on individuals and families while improving access to effective treatments. Addressing this issue is crucial for improving the health and well-being of Canadians struggling with obesity.
