Liraglutide for managing overweight and obesity

2.1 Liraglutide (Saxenda, Novo Nordisk) is indicated 'as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adult patients with an initial BMI of ≥30 kg/m² (obese), or ≥27 kg/m² to <30 kg/m² (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity such as dysglycaemia (pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus), hypertension, dyslipidaemia or obstructive sleep apnoea'.

2.2 For full details of dose schedules, see the summary of product characteristics.

2.3 The list price of liraglutide (Saxenda) is £196.20 for 5 × 6 mg/ml 3‑ml (18 mg) pre-filled pens (excluding VAT; BNF online, accessed September 2020). The company has a commercial arrangement. This makes the Saxenda brand of liraglutide available to the NHS with a discount only if it is purchased through a secondary-care tier 3 weight management service. The size of the discount is commercial in confidence. It is the company's responsibility to let relevant NHS organisations know details of the discount.