Wegovy Eligibility Criteria in New Zealand

Wegovy Eligibility Criteria in New Zealand

Clear guide to Wegovy eligibility in New Zealand — BMI thresholds and qualifying health conditions explained.

This article summarises the official Medsafe-approved information for clarity and educational use.

1. Overview

Wegovy® (semaglutide) is a prescription medicine approved in New Zealand for adults with obesity or overweight when lifestyle measures alone have not achieved sufficient weight loss. Wegovy is also approved for adolescents aged 12 years and above, under certain conditions (see 7. Approved Age Ranges).

It is part of a class of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by regulating appetite, lowering “food noise,” and helping people feel satisfied with smaller portions. Wegovy is most effective when combined with healthy lifestyle changes including diet and regular activity.

2. Medsafe-Approved Indications

Under the Medsafe Wegovy Data Sheet, Wegovy is indicated for:

  • Weight management in adults with:
    • BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², or
    • BMI ≥ 27 kg/m² with at least one weight-related comorbidity.

and/or

  • Reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and BMI ≥ 27 kg/m², who do not have diabetes.

3. BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² — Obesity Range

Adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher meet the criteria for Wegovy without any additional medical conditions.

Examples:

  • BMI 30–34.9 = Class I Obesity
  • BMI 35–39.9 = Class II Obesity
  • BMI ≥ 40 = Class III Obesity (severe)

Even at this level, Wegovy is typically prescribed alongside ongoing dietary, exercise, and behavioural support for long-term success.

4. BMI 27–29.9 kg/m² — Overweight Range with Comorbidities

Adults with a BMI between 27 and 29.9 may be eligible if they also have at least one medically recognised weight-related comorbidity.

These conditions are drawn from the populations included in the Wegovy clinical trials and listed within the Medsafe data sheet.

Below are the qualifying conditions commonly accepted in New Zealand.

Condition Description & Relevance
Prediabetes HbA1c 41–49 mmol/mol or fasting glucose 5.6–6.9 mmol/L. Indicates insulin resistance and increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Type 2 Diabetes Chronic metabolic disorder causing elevated blood glucose; strongly linked to overweight and obesity.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Persistently elevated blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg or treated with antihypertensives. Obesity contributes to vascular strain and risk of cardiovascular events.
Dyslipidaemia Elevated total cholesterol, LDL, or triglycerides, or low HDL. Often treated with statins or dietary intervention; commonly seen in metabolic syndrome.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) Repeated breathing pauses during sleep due to airway obstruction. Frequently linked to central obesity and metabolic disease.
Osteoarthritis (Weight-Bearing Joints) Degenerative joint disease, especially in hips or knees, worsened by excess body weight.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) / Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Accumulation of fat or inflammation in the liver not due to alcohol use; closely related to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Hormonal imbalance in women associated with insulin resistance, weight gain, and increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease. These patients may also qualify under the specific cardiovascular risk-reduction indication.
Asthma or COPD (respiratory impairment) Chronic airway conditions worsened by excess weight and reduced lung expansion.

Note: This list reflects comorbidities included in Wegovy clinical trials and recognised in the Medsafe literature as “weight-related conditions.” It is not an exhaustive or statutory list.

5. Exclusions and Contraindications

Wegovy should not be used in patients with:

  • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN-2)
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Prior serious hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any ingredient

Caution is advised in those with severe gastrointestinal disease, pancreatitis history, or end-stage renal impairment.

6. Summary Table

BMI Category Eligibility for Wegovy (NZ) Examples of Qualifying Conditions
≥ 30 kg/m² Eligible for weight management None required
27 – 29.9 kg/m² Eligible with ≥ 1 weight-related comorbidity Prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis, NAFLD/NASH, PCOS, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease

7. Approved Age Ranges

Wegovy is approved in New Zealand for both adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older, when certain criteria are met.

Adolescent Use (Ages 12 and Over)

In adolescents, Wegovy is indicated for the treatment of obesity (defined by age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles) where:

  • BMI is at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex, and
  • Body weight is greater than 60 kg.

If, after 12 weeks on the maximum tolerated dose, the adolescent’s BMI has not decreased by at least 5%, treatment should be discontinued.

Adult Use (Ages 18 and Over)

In adults, Wegovy is indicated for chronic weight management as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention when:

  • BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², or
  • BMI ≥ 27 kg/m² with at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis, NAFLD/NASH, PCOS, or cardiovascular disease.

Eligibility decisions always rest with a registered prescriber who considers individual medical history, benefits, and risks.

8. References

Sources: Medsafe New Zealand; Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Ltd

  1. Wegovy (semaglutide) Injection Data Sheet
  2. Wegovy Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary

Wegovy Eligibility Criteria in New Zealand

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