Expert Perspectives on Rybelsus Approval
Read about the approval of Rybelsus, the first oral GLP-1 agonist, here.
“I do think this is a great day for people with diabetes. I do hope that primary care providers whose practice and staffing have difficulty supporting injected therapies will avail themselves of this opportunity. That is the real opportunity afforded by Rybelsus.” Dr. John Buse, University of North Carolina
"This is inspiring news for the diabetes community. This astonishing breakthrough treatment can now be made available to a broader segment of patients with type 2 diabetes. Importantly, this does not replace anything, but rather provides another option for providers and patients who have limitations or reservations in the use of the injectable form of this important new drug that offers so many benefits for vast numbers of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This is a true breakthrough that changes the face of oral therapy in diabetes." – Dr. James Gavin, Emory
“I'm very happy to see this approval – my hope is access won't be the major challenge as it has been in the past with new GLP-1 receptor agonists due to cost. As a rule, we have under-utilized this class due to cost, side effects, and both patients and their providers not wanting injections – even weekly. At least one of these three challenges is not an issue with this new drug.” Dr. Irl Hirsch, University of Washington
“Semaglutide already has proven itself to be a highly efficacious GLP-1 receptor agonist. The availability of an oral formulation has the potential to expand opportunities for even more patients to derive benefit from this molecule.” Dr. Alan Moses, The diaTribe Foundation Board of Directors; former Chief Medical Officer, Joslin Clinic; former global chief medical officer, Novo Nordisk
“My hope is that this lowers the barrier for use of GLP-1 receptor agonists in primary care. An oral medication is perceived as easier to initiate. The guidelines shouldn’t change per se because of this, but the ease of following the guidelines might have just become easier!” Dr. Anne Peters, Director, USC Westside Center for Diabetes, Los Angeles
