THE WHAT? Novo Nordisk has begun broad US distribution of Wegovy pill, the first oral GLP-1 treatment approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with related medical conditions.
THE DETAILS The once-daily oral formulation of semaglutide received FDA approval on December 22, 2025 and is now available through more than 70,000 US pharmacies, including CVS and Costco, as well as selected telehealth platforms and online pharmacy services.
Clinical data from the Phase III OASIS 4 trial showed average weight loss of approximately 17 percent at 64 weeks among patients who remained on treatment, compared with around 3 percent for placebo. When including all trial participants regardless of treatment adherence, average weight loss was approximately 14 percent, versus 2 percent for placebo.
The starting dose of 1.5 mg is being offered via a self-pay programme at US$149 per month, with tiered pricing for higher doses. Novo Nordisk said the safety profile observed in OASIS 4 was consistent with previous injectable Wegovy trials, with gastrointestinal effects among the most commonly reported adverse reactions.
THE WHY? The launch marks a significant expansion of the GLP-1 market beyond injectable therapies, potentially broadening access and adoption among patients reluctant to use injections. For consumer health, nutrition and beauty-adjacent sectors, the rollout highlights the growing convergence of pharmaceutical weight management, wellness and long-term lifestyle intervention, as demand for obesity treatments accelerates in the US. Increased availability and lower entry pricing could further intensify competition across the rapidly expanding weight-loss category.
Source: Novo Nordisk
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