Fight Against Obesity and Cardiovascular Risks with Novo Nordisk Obesity Medicine Wegovy® (Semaglutide 2.4mg) (MAL24126014AZ)

Novo Nordisk announced the availability of Wegovy® (semaglutide 2.4 mg) (MAL24126014AZ) in Malaysia, an adjunct treatment option for adults living with obesity and overweight who present with at least one weight-related comorbidity on 15 Jan 2026. This is made available against a backdrop of growing health concerns, with recent data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 revealing that nearly 54.4% of Malaysian adults are classified as living with overweight or obesity.1

Obesity is a disease associated with more than 200 potential health complications, making it a ‘gateway’ disease to serious issues such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.2 These conditions significantly impact an individual's life expectancy and overall quality of life.2,3

Dr. Praful Chakkarwar, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Pharma (M) Sdn.Bhd., delivering his welcome note at the Wegovy® launch event.

Wegovy® (semaglutide 2.4 mg), a once-weekly injectable medication, works by mimicking the natural hormone GLP-1 released by the gut after eating. This mechanism targets specific areas in the brain that regulate hunger and cravings, providing a treatment option for individuals facing difficulty with weight management4. The treatment is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 or ≥27 kg/m2 to <30 kg/m2 in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity e.g. dysglycaemia (prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus), hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease.5, 6, 7, 8 Wegovy® provides ≥20% weight loss in people living with obesity. In addition, treatment with semaglutide has shown a greater reduction in fat mass than in lean body mass thereby enabling quality weight loss.

Emeritus Professor Dr Chan Siew Pheng, Senior Consultant Endocrinologist, sharing on Live Lighter with Wegovy®.

Dr. Praful Chakkarwar, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Malaysia, stated, “Today marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to transforming the healthcare landscape in Malaysia. With Wegovy®, we are introducing an effective weight loss medication that supports patients in their health journeys. This innovative treatment aims to redefine our approach to obesity management and sits at the centre of a broader, long-term strategy: local clinical research, corporate partnerships, community toolkits, internal initiatives and public platforms such as Truth About Weight.”

Professor Dr. Rohana Abdul Ghani, Consultant Endocrinologist & President of the Malaysian Obesity Society (MYOS), highlighted the complex nature of obesity, emphasising that it is far more than a matter of willpower or lifestyle choices. “Obesity is a biological, behavioural, and environmental condition, and not simply the result of lack of discipline or poor lifestyle choices. Unfortunately, it is often misunderstood, leading to self-blame and stigma among those affected. These emotional and social barriers can make effective weight management even more challenging. By combining medical therapy with education, empathy, and multidisciplinary care, we can promote a holistic approach, such as one that fosters resilience, reduces stigma, and encourages individuals to achieve sustained health improvements.”

Don't Miss a Beat: Breakthroughs in Cardiac Care

In conjunction with the upcoming World Heart Day, Bridges M&C organized an expert panel media discussion titled “Don’t Miss a Beat: Breakthroughs in Cardiac Care” recently.

Supported by Elixir Medical Corporation and CVSKL - Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur, the session featured leading consultant cardiologists Dato’ Dr Tamil Selvan Muthusamy and Datuk Dr Rosli Mohd Ali who shared important insights on the growing prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) among younger Malaysians, a worrying trend that calls for greater awareness and timely intervention.

The session also highlighted the latest innovations in interventional cardiology, the bioadaptor and intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) system, both of which represent significant progress over the years in helping patients achieve better outcomes and an improved quality of life.

Dato’ Dr Tamil Selvan Muthusamy, Consultant Cardiologist, Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur(CVSKL)

Datuk Dr Rosli Mohd Ali, Consultant Cardiologist, Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL)

Read on for the highlights from the insightful session:

Question 1. In 2022, CAD was the leading cause of medically certified deaths in Malaysia (16.1% or 20,322 deaths)[1]. Can you tell us more about what is CAD and why is it happening among the younger population in Malaysia?

Dato’ Dr Tamil Selvan Muthusamy: The heart muscle is like a pump, and it needs blood supply. The heart muscle in itself contains a huge amount of blood every minute, about five litres of blood. For it to work, it doesn’t get its blood supply from its inner chambers but through three tiny arteries which arise from the big vessel called the aortas. These supply the oxygen and nutrients required for the heart muscle to work, much like any other organ.

First in Southeast Asia! Institut Jantung Negara Implant Revotionary Dual-Chamber Leadless Pacemaker

Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most advanced heart hospitals continues to raise the bar in cardiac electrophysiology, advancing patient care through World Class innovation. IJN has made medical history by becoming the first centre in Southeast Asia to successfully implant the world's first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system, the Abbott's AVEIRTM DR.

From left to right: Datuk Dr Azlan Husin, Clinical Director Interventional Electrophysiology and Implantable Devices; Senior Consultant Cardiologist; Datuk Dr Shaiful Azmi Yahya,

Chief Clinical Officer, Senior Consultant Cardiologist; Prof Dato Sri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, Group Chief Executive Officer, IJN

Approved by the FDA in June 2023, AVEIR DR provides an innovative option to treat patients that suffer slow or irregular heart rhythms.

"IJN continues to set new standards for heart care in Malaysia and beyond. This new groundbreaking dual chamber leadless pacemaker will revolutionize care for our current patients and create a significant opportunity to expand the number of people we can serve. By eliminating traditional wires (leads) and surgical pockets, this leadless system significantly reduces the risk of complications such as infections, lead dislodgement, or vessel occlusion" said Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Clinical Director — Interventional Electrophysiology and Implantable Devices

For decades, pacemaker technology remained fundamentally unchanged due to the challenge of achieving seamless dual-chamber communication without leads. AVEIRTM DR change that by enabling more natural heart rhythm synchrony and improves quality of life, especially for patients at higher risk from conventional systems.

Designed for patients with slow or abnormal heart rhythms, AVEIRTM DR represents a major leap in cardiac pacing technology. Unlike traditional pacemakers, which are placed under the skin with insulated leads extending to the heart, the AVEIRTM DR system uses two miniaturized pacemakers, each roughly one-tenth the size of conventional devices, implanted directly into the heart's right atrium and ventricle.