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Thursday, June 26, 2025

UK probes link between GLP-1 drugs and pancreatitis

 The UK is studying cases of pancreatitis in people taking drugs based on GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss or type 2 diabetes to see if a person's genetic profile may make them more vulnerable to the side effect.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which is partnering with Genomics England on the investigation, is calling for anyone who has been hospitalised with acute pancreatitis suspected of being linked to GLP-1 drugs like Novo Nordisk's Ozempic/Wegovy (semaglutide) and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro (tirzepatide) to report it via the UK's Yellow Card scheme.

There have been hundreds of reports of acute and chronic pancreatitis cases in users of these drugs, characterised by pain in the stomach that radiates to the back and does not go away, but so far a definitive link has not been established.

It is worth noting that a study in the US published earlier this year found no increased risk of pancreatitis and may in fact be associated with a lower lifetime risk.

The MHRA and Genomics England intend to tap into the recently launched Yellow Card Biobank project, which is also looking at severe bleeding side effects caused by commonly used anticoagulants to prevent strokes.

The MHRA's chief safety officer, Dr Alison Cave, said that around a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with the introduction of genetic testing, and predicting people who may be more likely to suffer them could help to reduce costs to the NHS.

Adverse drug reactions are estimated to cost the health service more than £2.2 billion ($3 billion) a year in hospital stays alone, she added.

"Information from the Yellow Card Biobank will help us to better predict those most at risk of adverse reactions – enabling patients across the UK to receive the safest medicine for them, based on their genetic makeup," said Cave.

Patients aged 18 and over who report pancreatitis via the Yellow Card scheme will be asked to submit more information and a saliva sample for DNA testing, with kits posted to participants to use at home.

"GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy have been making headlines, but like all medicines there can be a risk of serious side effects," commented Genomics England's chief scientific officer Prof Matt Brown.

"We believe there is real potential to minimise these with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause," he added. "This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data and evidence for safer and more effective treatment through more personalised approaches to prescription, supporting a shift towards an increasingly prevention-focused healthcare system."

https://pharmaphorum.com/news/uk-probes-link-between-glp-1-drugs-and-pancreatitis

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