Ebn Sina Medical strengthens commitment to healthcare innovation
The event was attended by H.E. Mr. Anders Bjørn Hansen, the Ambassador of Denmark to the UAE and Qatar, Aamal Company CEO Mr. Rashid Al Mansoori, in the presence of Mr. Manvendra Singh, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Qatar and Dr. Nayla Mansour, Commercial Director on behalf of Mr. Essam Faragalla, General Manager of Ebn Sina Medical.
Wegovy® (Semaglutide 2.4mg), the first and only once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) indicated for chronic weight management in adults and adolescents ages 12 years and above1, is now available in Qatar.
Obesity has emerged as a significant global epidemic, affecting approximately 1 billion individuals world-wide2. Obesity in the Gulf is rapidly unfolding with the highest rates globally3.
In Qatar, the obesity crisis is particularly severe, the current prevalence of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) amongst adults in Qatar is estimated to be 41% with a notably higher prevalence amongst women (46%) and, nearly 76% of individuals in Qatar are classified as overweight; this places Qatar among the top 10 highest obesity rates in the world4,5,. The high rates of obesity and overweight in Qatar are linked to the high-country overall rates of related chronic conditions such as pre-diabetes, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) 6.
The active ingredient in Wegovy®, Semaglutide 2.4 mg, works by reducing hunger and increasing the feeling of fullness 1,7.
Wegovy® is indicated as adjunct to reduced calorie intake and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance in adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) or with overweight (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity.1
As per clinical research, Wegovy® on top of diet and exercise delivers 17% mean weight loss sustained over 2 years with one third of patients having a reduction of at least 20% body weight loss 1,8,9,10. Semaglutide 2.4 mg demonstrated significant improvements in other cardiometabolic risk factors such as: waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid profile, Glycemic parameters & C-reactive protein. 1,10,11,12
The SELECT clinical study including 17,604 adults with a BMI ≥27 kg/m2 demonstrated that Semaglutide 2.4 mg resulted in a statistically significant 20% risk reduction in Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) in people with overweight or obesity and established CVD, without T2DM1,15.
Besides its indication in adults, Wegovy® is also approved as the first and only once weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) for chronic weight management in adolescents with obesity from the age of 12 years1. This innovation may help transform the medical management of adolescent obesity in Qatar, where nearly 20% of children and adolescents are affected.6;11
During the event, Mr. Rashid bin Ali Al Mansoori, Aamal Company CEO, welcomed the attendees and highlighted this major step forward in addressing this public health challenge. He emphasized Aamal's commitment to advancing healthcare innovation and infrastructure in Qatar, through its subsidiaries such as Ebn Sina Medical in alignment with the country's National Health Strategy and Vision 2030, and reaffirmed Aamal's dedication to supporting access to the latest healthcare solutions that can positively impact the lives of individuals and the health of our wider community.
From Novo Nordisk's side, Mr. Manvendra Singh, General Manager Novo Nordisk Qatar said: 'At Novo Nordisk, we are proud to bring over 100 years of global leadership in chronic disease management and 25 years of dedicated obesity research to Qatar. The availability of Wegovy® marks a significant step in addressing obesity as a serious, chronic disease. As Qatar continues to face high rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, our collaboration with Ebn Sina is vital. Together, we are committed to strengthening the healthcare landscape and improving patient outcomes through innovative, science-driven solutions.'
Ebn Sina Medical General Manager Mr. Essam Faragalla added: 'At Ebn Sina Medical, we are committed to ensuring that the people of Qatar have access to world-class healthcare solutions. This partnership with Novo Nordisk marks a significant milestone in our journey to address the rising prevalence of obesity and related health complications in the country. We enjoy a long-standing relationship with Novo Nordisk and share a unified vision to prioritize patient-centric care. The introduction of Wegovy® reflects our continuous drive to deliver innovative treatments and reinforces our role as a trusted healthcare partner aligned with Qatar's National Health Strategy.'
Prof. Usama ALAlami; Head of Medical; Novo Nordisk Qatar highlighted:
'Obesity is the leading cause for many complications and it's the main driver of the diabetes epidemic in Qatar, accounting for 57.5% of diabetes cases12.Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the greatest contemporary health challenges globally, and there is an urgent need to prevent future increase in new cases and new complications of obesity13.
Data on Semaglutide 2.4mg® are reassuring with clinically significant weight loss in people with obesity or overweight. Based on trials' outcome, 80% of those who were with pre-diabetes regressed to normoglycemia9, which suggests that Semaglutide 2.4 mg could help prevent T2D in high-risk people with obesity or overweight'.8,1
About Ebn Sina Medical:
Ebn Sina Medical,is a subsidiary of Aamal Company, and it is considered a leading supplier of pharmaceutical supplies, hospital supplies, and health products to consumers in Qatar, with contracts with more than 70 leading international healthcare manufacturers from more than 20 countries.
Ebn Sina Medical also operates a chain of pharmacies bearing the name Ebn Sina Pharmacy and three-Foot Care Centers. Ebn Sina Medical has successfully established several strategic partnerships with suppliers, which has enabled the company to diversify its service offering in terms of generic and biosynthetic drugs.
Ebn Sina Medical continues to innovate and drive efficiency installing a robot at its warehouse to enable drugs to be handled quickly and accurately. Please visit https://ebnsina.com/
About Aamal Company Q.P.S.C
Aamal is one of the region's most diversified conglomerates and has been listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange since December 2007. As of x May 2025, the Company had market capitalisation of QAR xxbn (US$ xxbn).
Aamal's operations are widely diversified and comprise 32 active business units (subsidiaries and joint ventures) with market leading positions in the key industrial, retail, property, managed services, and medical equipment and pharmaceutical sectors, thereby offering investors a high quality and balanced exposure to Qatar's wider economic growth and development.
For further information on Aamal Company, please refer to the corporate website: http://www.aamal.qa
About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases, built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 69,000 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Contact Aamal Company:
Laura Ackel
Corporate Communications Officer
Email: laura.ackel@aamal.qa
Contact Novo Nordisk
Email: (novonordiskgulf.com)
References:
Wegovy® [summary of product characteristics]. Approved in Qatar October 2024
World Obesity federation. Available at: https://www.worldobesity.org/resources/resource-library/world-obesity-atlas-2023. Accessed on 26 September 2024.
World Health Organization. Global Health Observatory (GHO) data. Overweight and obesity. [cited 2020 05 August].
World Obesity Federation. World Obesity Atlas 2024. London: World Obesity Federation, 2024. Accessed on 29 September 2024.
https://data.worldobesity.org/publications/?cat=22 Haj Bakri, A. et al. Chronic disease risk factor surveillance: Qatar STEPS report 2012. Qatar: The Supreme Council of Health.
Obesity in Qatar: current and future strategies, Taheri, Shahrad et al. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, Volume 9, Issue 9, 561 – 562, 2021.
Anam, M., Maharjan, S., Amjad, Z., et al. (2022). Efficacy of Semaglutide in Treating Obesity: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). Cureus, 14(12), e32610. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.32610.
Colin IM, Gérard KM. Once-weekly 2.4 mg Semaglutide for Weight Management in Obesity: A Game Changer? touchREV Endocrinol. 2022 Jun;18(1):35-42. doi: 10.17925/EE.2022.18.1.35. Epub 2022 Jun 15. PMID: 35949360; PMCID: PMC9354513
Garvey WT, Batterham RL, Bhatta M, et al. Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial. Nat Med. 2022;28(10):2083-2091.
Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11): 989-1002.
D Weghuber et al, N Engl J Med 2022;387:2245-2257, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2208601, VOL. 387 NO. 24
Awad SF, O'Flaherty M, Critchley J, Abu-Raddad LJ. Forecasting the burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Qatar to 2050: A novel modeling approach. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2018;137:100-8
Qatar National Diabetes Strategy; https://www.moph.gov.qa/english/strategies/Supporting-Strategies-and-Frameworks/nationaldiabetesstrategy/Pages/default.aspx (Accessed 14 Sep 2024)
Roth GA et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2020;76:2982–3021
Lincoff AM et al. N Engl J Med. 2023 Dec 14;389(24):2221-2232.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Ozempic maker Novo's profit warning triggers $70 billion share rout
29 July 2025 19:13 COPENHAGEN (REUTERS)Investors knocked $70 billion off Novo Nordisk's market value on Tuesday after the maker of weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy issued a profit warning and named a new CEO, as it battles rising competition in the obesity drug named Maziar Mike Doustdar as its new chief executive, turning to an experienced insider to revive sales and a share price hit by worries the company is falling behind in the weight-loss drug race it of a change at the top deepened a stock market rout, triggered after Novo slashed its outlook for 2025 sales growth to between 8% and 14%, from between 13% and 21% previously. Its shares plunged nearly 30% before paring some losses to trade down about 20% by has been hit by copycat versions of its weight-loss drugs - mixed or compounded by pharmacies. A crackdown on legal compounded versions of Wegovy in May could improve the situation, although Novo said illegal compounding Danish company said in a statement that the cut to its 2025 sales outlook was due to lower growth expectations in the second half in the United States, both for Wegovy and Ozempic in the GLP-1 diabetes drugmaker, which became Europe's most valuable listed company following the launch of Wegovy in 2021, is now facing a reckoning as it looks to turn things around after the abrupt removal in May of CEO Lars Fruergaard its peak in June 2024, Novo was worth as much as $615 billion, but its shares have plunged on investor concerns about the company's experimental drug pipeline and its ability to navigate challenges in the US an Iranian-born, Austrian national, who grew up in the US, joined Novo in 1992 and will take on the new role on August currently serves as vice president for international operations, a role he took after leading the company's businesses first in the Middle East and then in Southeast Asia, Novo has lost its first-mover advantage in the United States this year to US rival Eli Lilly . The new chief executive's most urgent challenge, according to investors and analysts, is to revive Novo's performance in the US, the largest market by far for weight-loss drugs and where they are most profitable. Novo launched its weight-loss drug Wegovy nearly two and a half years before US rival Eli Lilly's Zepbound. But Zepbound prescriptions surpassed those of Wegovy this year by more than 100,000 a week.
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
Novo Nordisk faces 'show me' moment to boost Wegovy growth after US copycat ban
28 July 2025 14:38 LONDON (REUTERS)A US ban on copycat versions of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy has begun to lift use of the weight loss drug, but the company will need to show more robust growth in the months ahead to bolster market confidence, investors and analysts Wegovy prescriptions have increased by about 33% since May 22, when a US Food and Drug Administration ban on so-called compounded versions of Wegovy took effect, amounting to 181,200 in the week ended July 18, according to data from IQVIA that was shared with Reuters by industry Wegovy prescriptions have also increased, narrowing the lead for Eli Lilly and Co's Zepbound. In the week ended May 23, U.S. Zepbound prescriptions exceeded Wegovy by nearly 175,000. By July 18, the gap was about 133, signs of a shift come at a critical juncture for Novo. After Wegovy's initial stunning success, investor confidence was rattled when Zepbound and compounders started to slow the drug's then in May, the Danish company cut its full-year sales and earnings forecasts and announced the surprise exit of Chief Executive Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, citing market challenges and a stock price nearly 60% below its 2024 said at the time he expected the FDA compounding ban to lift sales in the second half of this year. Investors are keen to hear whether that is still likely when the company reports quarterly earnings on August leaves the drugmaker in what Barclays analyst Emily Field called a "show me" phase - no longer buoyed by optimism about a turnaround but under pressure to sales of Wegovy catapulted Novo to become Europe's most valuable listed company, peaking in June 2024 at about 615 billion euros, after the weekly injection became the first highly-effective obesity treatment approved in the US in supply disruptions and gaps in health insurance coverage for Wegovy helped fuel the market for cheaper compounded - or copycat - versions, which are allowed under US law when drugs are in sentiment on Novo soured after the company lost ground to US rival Eli Lilly, which launched Zepbound in late its first full-year forecast downgrade since Wegovy's launch, Novo said in May it expected local-currency sales growth of 13-21%, down from a previous forecast of 16-24%. Operating profit growth is projected at 16-24%, versus 19-27% more of the patients who had turned to compounded drugs is key to meeting those targets. The FDA determined that Wegovy was no longer in shortage in February, leading to the ban on compounded versions. Novo has rolled out new tactics to bring patients back, including a limited-time discount for one month's supply, and secured better coverage from insurer CVS Health.
Arabian Post
21-07-2025
- Arabian Post
Counterfeit and Refurbished Transducers Pose Serious Safety Risks
Merz Aesthetics® Hong Kong Launches Ultherapy® Authenticity Verification Reward Program This August Consumers Urged to Verify Ultherapy® Transducers Authenticity for Safe and Effective Treatments HONG KONG SAR & MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 June 2025 – Merz Aesthetics®, the world's largest dedicated medical aesthetics business for more than 115 years, leads the industry shift with Ultherapy PRIME®, the latest innovation in hyper-personalized, non-invasive skin lifting., which have earned the trust and support of medical aesthetics professionals and consumers in Hong Kong and Macau. Recently, the emergence of counterfeit and refurbished transducers in the local markets pose serious potential risks to treatment results and patients' safety. Merz Aesthetics® Hong Kong urges consumers to verify the authenticity of Ultherapy® products and seek treatments exclusively at authorized clinics. Merz Aesthetics® Hong Kong will launch the Ultherapy® Authenticity Verification Reward Program this August — making it easy for consumers to verify the Systems and transducers, reinforcing confidence and safety in every treatment. Trusted Technology, Proven Results — Beware of Counterfeit Transducers ADVERTISEMENT Ultherapy® and its latest innovation, Ultherapy PRIME® (collectively 'Systems'), are manufactured in the United States and remain the only US FDA cleared non-invasive micro-focused ultrasound skin lifting treatment with real-time visualization.. Ultherapy® DeepSEE® transducers are available in 4.5mm, 3.0mm, and 1.5mm depths to target different layers of the skin. The real-time imaging allows practitioners to visualize skin structure and tissue layers during treatment, ensuring that energy is precisely delivered to the intended depth of the skin for safe and effective results. Each Ultherapy® DeepSEE® transducer is designed to deliver a designated 2,400 dosage lines and cannot be recharged or refurbished once depleted. The recent emergence of counterfeit or refurbished transducers in the market has raised serious concerns over treatment results and patients' safety. Inaccurate energy delivery into the skin will compromise lifting results and create extremely high risks, potentially leading to burns. The use of counterfeit or refurbished transducers can also impair the Systems, potentially leading to unpredictable outcomes that may cause harm to patients. Authentic Transducers Are Traceable — Counterfeit Unknown Every Ulthera® DeepSEE® transducers carries a unique serial number and QR code, allowing it to be traced back to the purchasing clinic. Counterfeit or refurbished transducers often fail QR verification, raising questions about their origin and posing significant safety risks. In addition, every authentic transducer has a specified shelf-life which is12 months from the date of manufacture. Expired transducers should not be used, as they may result in unpredictable outcomes which can possibly harm or injure the patients because there is no clinical evidence to support the use of such expired transducers. Choose Only Authorized Ultherapy® Clinics ADVERTISEMENT Our official Ultherapy® website ( regularly updates the list of clinics and medical aesthetic centers that use authentic Systems and transducers. Each authorized provider receives official certificates for in-clinic display. Merz Aesthetics® urges consumers to choose authentic Ultherapy® treatments from officially authorized clinics and aesthetic centers to ensure that only certified Systems and transducers are used. Products obtained through unauthorized or parallel import channels may not comply with the manufacturer's prescribed storage and handling standards, potentially compromising safety and efficacy. 3-Step Verification Program Launches This August To help consumers easily identify authentic Systems and transducers, Merz Aesthetics® Hong Kong is launching the Ultherapy® Authenticity Verification Reward Program in August 2025. With just three simple steps, consumers can authenticate products and enjoy a special reward: 1. Scan the QR code on the System to verify authenticity. Counterfeit machines typically lack valid QR verification. 2. Take a photo of the QR code on the transducer and upload it to the official website for instant verification. 3. Successfully complete both verifications to receive a HK$100 Häagen-Dazs coupon as your reward (limited quantities, available in Hong Kong only). Report Suspected Counterfeit or Refurbished Devices Merz Aesthetics® Hong Kong will continue to take enforcement action against the sale or use of counterfeit version of the Ultherapy® and Ultherapy PRIME® systems, as well as unauthorized, refurbished, or counterfeit transducers. The company also warns against any unauthorized modifications or repairs of the Systems. Only authorized representatives and service centers, certified by the manufacturer, are properly trained and qualified to inspect, repair, or replace components of the Systems. Merz Aesthetics® Hong Kong believes that the patients' well-being and treatments safety are core values shared with its network of professional medical partners. We urge both providers and consumers to report any suspected use of counterfeit systems, counterfeit transducers, or refurbished transducers. Consumers are encouraged to consult the official Ultherapy® website ( for a list of authorized clinics before treatment. With the launch of the Ultherapy® Authenticity Verification Reward Program this August 2025, they can also complete a simple verification process to confirm that both the Systems and transducers are authentic ensuring every session is safe, effective, and provides piece of mind. Hashtag: #MerzAesthetics The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Ultherapy® /Ultherapy PRIME® Ultherapy® , The noninvasive Ultherapy® procedure is U.S. FDA-cleared to lift skin on the neck, on the eyebrow and under the chin as well as to improve lines and wrinkles on the décolletage, with over 3 million treatments performed worldwide. Using micro-focused ultrasound energy with real-time visualization (MFU-V), Ultherapy® can see deep within the layers of the skin and enable treatment plan to be hyper-personalized. A single treatment provides results lasting up to one year with no downtime.1,2,3,4,5,6,7. Ultherapy PRIME® is the latest innovation version of Ultherapy®, recognized as the gold standard for non-surgical lifting and skin tightening. Learn more about Ultherapy® treatments at About Merz Aesthetics® Merz Aesthetics® is a medical aesthetics business with a long history of empowering health care professionals, patients and employees to live every day with confidence. We aim to help people around the world look, feel and live like the best versions of themselves — however they define it. Clinically proven, its product portfolio includes injectables, devices and skin care treatments designed to meet each patient's needs with high standards of safety and efficacy. Being family owned for more than 115 years, Merz Aesthetics® is known for building unique connections with customers who feel like family. Merz Aesthetics®' global headquarters is in Raleigh, N.C., USA, with a commercial presence in 90 countries worldwide. It is also a part of Merz Group, which was founded in 1908 and is based in Frankfurt, Germany. Learn more at References: 1. Ulthera® Instructions for SG, Joseph J, Sevi J, Green JB, Peterson JD. Optimizing patient outcomes by customizing treatment with microfocused ultrasound with visualization: gold standard consensus guidelines from an expert panel. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(5):426-432. 2. Park JY, et al. Customized Treatment Using Microfocused Ultrasound with Visualization for Optimized Patient Outcomes: A Review of Skin tightening Energy Technologies and a Pan-Asian Adaptation of the Expert Panel's Gold Standard Consensus. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2021;14(5): E70-E79. 3. Werschler WP, Werschler PS. Long-term efficacy of micro-focused ultrasound with visualization for lifting and tightening lax facial and neck skin using a customized vectoring treatment method. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9(2):27-33. 4. Goldie K, Kerscher M, Fabi SG, Hirano C, Landau M, Lim TS, Woolery-Lloyd H, Mariwalla K, Park JY, Yutskovskaya Y. Skin Quality – A Holistic 360° View: Consensus Results. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021 Jun 14;14:643-654. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S309374. PMID: 34163203; PMCID: PMC8214518. 5. Sasaki G, Grossman J, Fabi SG, et al. Stimulation of Collagen Synthesis in Human Skin Following Microfocused Ultrasound Therapy. Presented at the ASDS 2018 Annual Meeting. 6. White WM, Makin IR, Barthe PG, Slayton MN, Gliklich RE. Selective creation of thermal injury zones in the superficial musculoaponeurotic system using intense ultrasound therapy: a new target for non-invasive facial rejuvenation. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2007;9(1):22-29. 7. Data on File.
