The United States has welcomed its first oral version of the popular weight‑loss drug Wegovy, offering patients a pill alternative to the injectable treatments that have dominated the obesity market. Launched by Novo Nordisk on January 5, 2026, the new oral option is priced significantly lower than existing therapies, making it more accessible to patients and intensifying competition among pharmaceutical companies.
The pill is available in 1.5 mg and 4 mg doses at $149 per month for self-pay patients, with insurance plans potentially reducing costs to as little as $25 monthly. Higher doses, including 9 mg and 25 mg, are priced at $299 per month, while the 4 mg dose will increase to $199 from mid-April. These prices are far lower than Novo Nordisk’s injectable Wegovy, which can exceed $1,000 per month, and undercut rival products from Eli Lilly, including the injectable Zepbound and the upcoming oral candidate orforglipron, expected at roughly $346 per month.
Clinical trial data show that patients on the oral Wegovy experienced an average 17% reduction in body weight over 64 weeks, similar to results from the injectable versions. Novo Nordisk aims to attract patients who are reluctant to use injections and expand its share of the growing obesity treatment market in the US, where rates of overweight and obesity continue to rise.
The launch also buoyed Novo Nordisk’s stock, reflecting investor confidence in the oral pill’s potential to strengthen the company’s competitive position. Analysts predict that the lower price could prompt further competition and improved patient access, reshaping trends in obesity drug pricing.
Regulatory reviews are underway in other markets, including the United Kingdom, and international availability may follow later in 2026. Healthcare experts note that the oral Wegovy could accelerate the adoption of GLP-1 treatments for obesity, making effective therapies more widely accessible while driving innovation in the sector.
With this launch, Novo Nordisk is set to redefine the US weight-loss drug market, offering patients a more convenient, affordable option and sparking a new phase of competition among leading pharmaceutical companies.
Also Read: Maduro denies US charges, calls arrest “kidnapping”
