HEALTH regulator said that the available data does not establish a link between a popular class of diabetes and obesity drugs, including Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, and suicidal thoughts.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) began a review of safety data for the class of drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, more than a year ago after some patients reported suicidal or self-harming thoughts.
"We conclude that the available data does not support a causal association between GLP-1 receptor agonists and suicide, suicidal ideation, self-injury and depression, and therefore no updates to the product information is warranted at this time," it said in a statement.
The UK review began weeks after similar action by the European Union. It included Wegovy and another Novo Nordisk drug, Ozempic, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide and is approved to treat Type 2 diabetes.
The EU drug regulator said in April that its own review had found no evidence that the class of medicines are linked to suicidal thoughts.
The US Food and Drug Administration said in January that its preliminary review had not found evidence that GLP-1 drugs were linked to suicidal thoughts, but that it will continue to study the issue.
(Reuters)
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)