Fatty liver disease (Health, Diseases and Biotechnology)
Fatty liver disease (Health, Diseases and Biotechnology)
Why In News:
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved Novo Nordisk's drug Wegovy (semaglutide) for a new indication, the treatment of fatty liver disease, making it the first GLP-1 receptor agonist approved in India for this condition.
Wegovy was earlier approved in India only for chronic weight management and type 2 diabetes.
Source: The Indian Express, Page 8, 18 July 2026, "With drug body's clearance, Wegovy is first GLP-1 for adults with fatty liver"; also The Hindu, Page 13, 'Wegovy approved for fatty liver disease'
About Fatty liver disease
Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver, impairing its normal functions.
Types: It is broadly classified into alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/MASLD), the latter being more common and linked to metabolic factors.
Silent Nature: The condition is often asymptomatic in early stages, making it a “silent disease” that may go unnoticed until it progresses.
Progression: If untreated, it can advance from simple fat accumulation to inflammation (NASH/MASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
Understanding GLP-1 Drugs and MASH
GLP-1 receptor agonists: A class of drugs that mimic the naturally occurring hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which regulates blood sugar, slows gastric emptying, and induces satiety, making these drugs effective for both diabetes control and weight management.
MASH: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, a serious form of fatty liver disease caused by excess fat build-up in the liver, leading to chronic inflammation and, if untreated, progression to fibrosis and cirrhosis.
New approved indication: The CDSCO has cleared Wegovy for adults with noncirrhotic MASH and moderate to advanced liver fibrosis, to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Burden in India: Industry estimates suggest around two in three people in India have some form of fatty liver disease, linked closely to rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Key Facts for Prelims
CDSCO: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) serves as India’s National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for medical devices under the Drugs and Cosmetics act 1940.
It functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) as its head.
The organization is headquartered in New Delhi.
Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for approving new drugs, regulating clinical trials, setting drug standards, ensuring the quality of imported drugs, and coordinating with State Drug Control Organizations.
Additionally, CDSCO, in collaboration with state regulators, oversees the licensing of critical drug categories such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines, and sera.
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: The primary legislation governing the import, manufacture, and sale of drugs and cosmetics in India, under which CDSCO grants such approvals.