GLP-1 receptor agonists could soon be listed on the PBS for patients with obesity, with an endocrinologist applauding a new PBAC recommendation for striking the right balance.

The PBAC has said semaglutide (Wegovy) should be funded for patients with both cardiovascular disease and obesity, although it has also said that maker Novo Nordisk still needs to reduce its price.

The conditions would still be more restrictive than in countries like the UK, as patients will need to have had a cardiovascular event or have symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.

They would also need to have a BMI of at least 35kg/m², or at least 32.5kg/m² if they are Asian or Indigenous Australians, the PBAC decided in its November meeting, details of which were released last month.