Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect the NICE guidelines on semaglutide for patients with cardiovascular disease will be published; and what plans they have to ensure that the guidance is implemented by GPs.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing authoritative, evidence-based recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources.

NICE published final draft guidance on 1 April that recommends semaglutide as an option for reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, such as cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke, in people with cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity. NICE currently expects to publish final guidance in May 2026.

If recommended in final NICE guidance, the NHS would be required to fund treatment within three months of publication. Integrated care boards are responsible for determining local delivery arrangements and for ensuring that clinicians are supported to prescribe in accordance with NICE recommendations.