In a major development for obesity treatment, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy in pill form, offering patients an alternative to injections.
The Danish pharmaceutical company confirmed that the once-daily oral Wegovy pill delivers weight-loss results comparable to the injectable version, potentially transforming how obesity is treated in clinical settings.
Who Can Use the Wegovy Pill
Under the FDA approval, doctors can prescribe the pill to:
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Adults with obesity, or
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Adults who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as heart disease
Previously, GLP-1 drugs in pill form were approved only for diabetes, making this a significant expansion of treatment options for obesity patients.
Why This Approval Matters
Health experts say many patients avoid injections due to discomfort, fear, or inconvenience. The approval of an oral option is expected to:
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Improve treatment accessibility
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Increase patient adherence
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Potentially reduce costs over time
The US Obesity Care Advocacy Network welcomed the move, calling it an important step toward making weight-loss therapy more inclusive.
Rising Demand for GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs
GLP-1 appetite-suppressing medications such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro have surged in global popularity due to their proven effectiveness. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 40 percent of US adults are affected by obesity, driving demand for newer, more convenient treatments.
Launch Timeline and Pricing
Novo Nordisk said the Wegovy pill is expected to launch in the US market in January, although pricing details have not yet been announced. The approval comes as the US government increases pressure on drugmakers to lower the cost of weight-loss medications, with renewed focus from President Donald Trump on affordability agreements.
Analysts believe the oral version could further strengthen Novo Nordisk’s dominance in the rapidly growing global obesity-care market.
