Brazil's Health Ministry launches semaglutide pilot for obesity treatment in SUS

On June 26, Brazil's Ministry of Health announced the start of a two‑year pilot programme using semaglutide, a GLP‑1 agonist popularly known as a “weight‑loss pen”, for patients with severe obesity in the public health system (SUS). The study will be carried out at the Grupo Hospitalar Conceição in Porto Natal, Rio Grande do Sul, and will involve 250 patients who are already under care and awaiting bariatric surgery.

The pilot will assess the drug’s effectiveness, clinical impact and cost‑effectiveness. Key outcomes include percentage of weight loss, quality‑of‑life improvements, changes in cholesterol and glucose levels, surgical eligibility and overall treatment expenses. Patients must have a documented diagnosis of obesity for at least 12 months and have failed conventional diet and exercise regimens.

Minister of Health Alexandre Padilha said, “O Brasil está sendo pioneiro na utilização desse medicamento no sistema público de saúde.” The study is funded through resources transferred by the Fundação de Apoio da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, with additional financing from the drug’s manufacturer. The pilot follows a 2025 recommendation by CONITEC not to incorporate semaglutide into SUS because of an estimated annual cost of about R$ 8 billion, a figure the ministry hopes the evidence will help re‑evaluate.