Semaglutide: A Strategic Weapon for Primary Care

Type 2 diabetes has been a long-standing concern worldwide and in Singapore. Having one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates in Southeast Asia, Singapore has explored various ways of enhancing the management of chronic illnesses, one of which is to treat diabetic patients in primary care settings rather than speciality facilities. Primary care physicians are tasked to manage their diabetic patients’ glycated haemoglobin levels, along with a myriad of related complications including hypoglycaemia, cardiovascular risk, and body weight issues. With the ever-increasing complexity of population health demands, oral semaglutide can be a strategic weapon utilised by primary care doctors to treat type 2 diabetic patients. In terms of glycaemic control and body weight reduction, oral semaglutide has outperformed several other oral anti-diabetic medicines. Moreover, oral semaglutide has a proven cardiovascular safety profile with potential benefits. The development of oral semaglutide, rather than the injectable type, has made it simpler for patients to benefit from semaglutide treatment. Oral semaglutide is a feasible and effective strategy in type 2 diabetes management, for both initiation and intensification needs, and is well positioned to be a game changer in primary care.