The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved Ozempic® (semaglutide 1.0 mg) for reducing the risk of kidney disease progression in Australians with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). This label expansion marks a significant step in addressing the growing burden of CKD, which affects an estimated 330,000 Australians living with diabetes.
Professor Vlado Perkovic, nephrologist and Provost at the University of New South Wales, emphasised the importance of early intervention. “Chronic kidney disease is a major health issue in Australia and is a serious and progressive complication of type 2 diabetes. Early intervention can help with slowing disease progression,” he said, urging patients to discuss kidney health with their healthcare providers.
Ozempic® is now approved as an adjunct to standard care therapy to reduce the risk of sustained kidney function decline and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and CKD. The drug is administered once weekly via subcutaneous injection and is subject to additional monitoring in Australia to ensure safety.
Dr. Ana Svensson, Vice President of Clinical, Medical, and Regulatory at Novo Nordisk Oceania, highlighted the significance of the approval. “This approval represents a step forward in addressing the multifaceted needs of individuals living with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease,” she said. “At Novo Nordisk, we remain committed to expanding access to innovative therapies that improve health outcomes and quality of life.”
Diabetes remains the leading cause of CKD in Australia, accounting for 38% of new cases. Without proper management, CKD can lead to kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, and premature death. Approximately 10,000 Australians with diabetes and CKD are expected to progress to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a transplant.
Professor Perkovic, who has served on the global steering committee for FLOW, reiterated the need for awareness. “We need to continue raising awareness and the importance of early CKD detection,” he said.
For more information, healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to visit the Novo Nordisk website or consult the product’s Consumer Medicine Information.
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He studied Journalism and Marketing at USC and TV Presentation at NIDA. He is passionate about advocating for seniors and presenting non-biased, fact-based news to enable those over 50 to thrive in an increasingly complicated digital world. He covers all areas of life and style, from pop culture to the economy and travel to events. If it's worth reading, it's worth writing about.
He loves to travel the globe and is a recently diagnosed, late-in-life Type One Diabetic.