Drugs for Weight Loss Under EU Scanner Due to Suicide Risk Allegations

 Following reports from patients taking the anti-obesity medications of suicidal thoughts and self-harm, the European Medicines Agency began looking into the matter in July.

The European Union's drug regulator is reviewing the possible risk of suicidal thoughts associated with a new class of weight-loss medicines and has asked pharmaceutical companies, such as Novo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly & Co., for more information.

After people who had been taking the anti-obesity medications reported having suicidal thoughts and self-harming, the European Medicines Agency began looking into the matter in July. The review focuses on what are known as GLP-1 treatments, which comprise Novo's diabetes medication Ozempic and its weight-loss shot Wegovy. They are among the pharmaceutical industry's best-selling products.

After reviewing all available clinical trial data and published literature on the topic, the EMA's safety committee stated in a statement on Friday that "no conclusion can be drawn on a causal association at this time, there are several issues that still need to be clarified."

The committee has decided to ask the manufacturers of these medications to respond to additional lists of questions and has announced that it will revisit the subject at its April meeting.

Despite being relatively new to the weight loss world, GLP-1 medications have been used to treat diabetes for over 15 years. The active component of Lilly's diabetes medication Trulicity, dulaglutide, and AstraZeneca Plc's diabetes medication Byetta are also being investigated by the EMA.

According to a Lilly representative, "patient safety is Lilly's top priority," Bloomberg reported on Friday. "We will continue to respond to the regulatory reviews regarding safety signals related to dulaglutide as part of our routine regulatory review processes."