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Ministry of Health
Parliamentary QA

PATIENTS AT PUBLIC HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS PRESCRIBED GLP-1 MEDICINES FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

4 November 2026

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1517

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 4 NOVEMBER 2026


Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis

MP for Sengkang GRC


 Question No. 3351

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) how many patients at public healthcare institutions were prescribed GLP-1 medicines for weight management in each of the past three years; (b) whether the Agency for Care Effectiveness will evaluate these medicines for subsidy; and (c) whether obesity will be included under the Chronic Disease Management Programme given the World Health Organization’s recognition of obesity as a chronic disease.


Answer

1               Public Healthcare Institutions (PHIs) have been prescribing Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists medication approved for weight management to about 1,000 patients every year. These GLP-1s have been prescribed for weight management as well as other approved conditions, such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

2               As pharmaceutical companies prices drugs differently across geographies and countries, the Agency for Care Effectiveness is currently reviewing the cost-effectiveness of GLP-1 medicines indicated for weight management. The findings will help determine any subsidy decisions when ready.   

3               If GLP-1 medicines are deemed cost-effective and eligible for subsidies, MOH would then further consider if its use can be expanded to more conditions under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP), taking into account factors such as disease burden, potential benefits of early interventions to patient outcomes, and cumulative cost to patients from long-term treatment.