"This is just for nondiabetic, obese individuals," Dr. Diamant explained, noting that around 80% of study participants were women who perhaps wanted cosmetic results.
Regulatory agencies must be sure that drugs are safe, Dr. Diamant observed, but even so, "what is obesity? It’s a lifestyle [issue], it’s [about] prevention. ... So should we treat that massively, with expensive drugs?" The 3-mg daily dose of liraglutide could work out to be a very expensive way to treat what is essentially a lifestyle-led condition, she suggested.
The study was funded by Novo Nordisk. Dr. Woo disclosed receiving honoraria for speaking and participating in advisory boards or clinical trials on behalf of Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Sanofi-Aventis, Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Abbott, and the government of Canada. Dr. Diamant has acted as a consultant, speaker, or both for Eli Lilly, Merck, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi-Aventis. She has also received research support from Amylin, Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, and Takeda.