Weight regulation drugs are used to treat diabetes mellitus and also to reduce weight in patients with obesity who do not have diabetes. The indicator here is limited to drugs that are approved in Switzerland for the treatment of obesity and are reimbursed by the OKP (see Specialty List). The use of drugs approved for the treatment of diabetes mellitus is shown in a separate indicator in the Health Care Atlas (see “Antidiabetic drugs”).
A distinction is made between two forms of weight regulation drugs: those administered by injection (commonly referred to as “weight loss jabs”) and those taken orally. Both groups are shown separately in the indicator. The injectable drugs belong to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA), while the orally administered drugs contain the active ingredient orlistat.
The indicator in the Swiss Health Care Atlas shows the dispensing of these drugs by outpatient service providers.