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Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has officially launched its once-daily Wegovy weight-loss pill in the United States, intensifying competition in the rapidly growing obesity drug market. The oral medication, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month, will be available starting Monday and is aimed largely at self-paying patients seeking alternatives to injectable treatments.
Novo Nordisk is initially offering Wegovy pill doses of 1.5 milligrams and 4 milligrams at a price of $149 per month for cash-paying customers. However, pricing will rise over time, with the 4 mg dose increasing to $199 per month from April 15. Higher doses of 9 mg and a long-term maintenance dose of 25 mg will be priced at $299 per month. The pill contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient used in Novo’s injectable Wegovy and Ozempic, as well as its diabetes pill Rybelsus.
The launch is seen as a strategic move by Novo to regain momentum after profit warnings and share price declines last year, particularly as U.S. rival Eli Lilly continues to gain ground with its injectable obesity drug Zepbound. Lilly is also developing its own weight-loss pill, with an FDA decision expected in March. Investors reacted positively to Novo’s announcement, sending its Denmark-listed shares up 5% and U.S.-listed shares up 4.6%, while Lilly shares slipped.
Novo Nordisk is positioning the Wegovy pill as a more flexible and needle-free option, potentially attracting new consumers who are hesitant about injections. The company emphasized that success will depend heavily on attracting cash-paying customers, as insurance coverage for weight-loss drugs remains limited in the U.S.
The Wegovy pill will be distributed through major pharmacies such as CVS and Costco, along with telehealth platforms including Ro, LifeMD, WeightWatchers, GoodRx, and NovoCare Pharmacy. Telehealth stocks surged following the announcement, reflecting optimism around increased demand.
Novo also stated it has built sufficient inventory to avoid the supply shortages that previously plagued its injectable Wegovy rollout. Additionally, under an agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump, Novo and Eli Lilly will offer starter doses of their weight-loss pills at $149 per month to Medicare and Medicaid enrollees and through the upcoming TrumpRx direct-to-consumer platform.
