Novo Nordisk Launches Oral Wegovy in US, Intensifying Competition in Obesity Market

Novo Nordisk has officially launched its highly anticipated oral version of Wegovy in the United States, marking a significant milestone in the pharmaceutical industry's efforts to combat obesity. The introduction of this groundbreaking pill-form treatment comes amidst intensifying competition in the weight loss medication market, with rival Eli Lilly hot on Novo's heels.

Pricing and Availability

Novo Nordisk has set the out-of-pocket price for oral Wegovy at $149 per month for the 1.5-mg and 4-mg doses, with higher 9-mg and 25-mg doses priced at $299 per month. For commercially insured patients, the cost could potentially be as low as $25 per month when using savings plans.

The medication is now available through traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacies such as CVS and Costco, as well as select telehealth platforms including Ro, LifeMD, Weight Watchers, and GoodRx. Novo Nordisk has also made the drug accessible through its own direct-to-consumer platform, NovoCare Pharmacy.

Clinical Efficacy and Regulatory Approval

Oral Wegovy, which contains the GLP-1 agonist semaglutide, received FDA approval on December 22, 2025, becoming the first oral GLP-1 medication approved for weight loss. The drug's efficacy was demonstrated in the Oasis 4 study, where patients who adhered to treatment experienced an average weight loss of nearly 17%, compared to approximately 3% in the placebo group.

In addition to its weight loss indication, oral Wegovy has been approved to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) such as death, heart attack, or stroke in patients with obesity.

Market Competition and Future Developments

The launch of oral Wegovy gives Novo Nordisk a temporary edge over its main competitor, Eli Lilly, in the rapidly growing obesity treatment market. However, Lilly is not far behind, with plans to seek FDA approval for its own oral obesity drug, orforglipron, in the near future.

Lilly received a Commissioner's National Priority Voucher for orforglipron in November 2025, potentially expediting the drug's review process to 1-2 months. The company aims to launch orforglipron in the second quarter of 2026, setting the stage for intensified competition in the oral weight loss medication space.

As the pharmaceutical industry continues to focus on developing innovative treatments for obesity, the introduction of oral Wegovy represents a significant step forward in making these medications more accessible to a broader patient population. The coming months are likely to see further developments in this rapidly evolving market as companies vie for dominance in the lucrative obesity treatment sector.