*A new option for weight loss treatment is now available to U.S. consumers as Novo Nordisk rolls out its first daily oral Wegovy pill.
The medication is the first and only oral GLP-1 approved for weight loss in adults and is now accessible nationwide by prescription, Good Morning America reports. Novo Nordisk announced Monday that patients with a prescription can obtain the Wegovy pill at retail pharmacies or through delivery via telehealth providers.
“We are launching the Wegovy pill like we have never launched before,” Dave Moore, Novo Nordisk’s executive director of U.S. operations, said in an interview that aired on “Good Morning America.”
Moore said the rollout includes immediate availability through insurance plans, physical pharmacy locations, and telehealth partnerships. “It’s our opportunity to bring this new medicine to market in all channels, all at once,” he said, noting access through retailers such as CVS and Costco alongside virtual care providers.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the oral Wegovy pill in December. The medication contains oral semaglutide, which works by slowing digestion and reducing appetite to promote weight loss. Unlike injectable GLP-1 treatments, the pill does not require refrigeration and is taken once daily rather than weekly. Patients are required to take the pill at least 30 minutes before consuming food, coffee, or other medications, according to the company.
Cost may also be a deciding factor for many patients. If covered by insurance, the monthly copay is expected to be $25 or less. Without insurance, pricing ranges from $149 to $299 per month, depending on dosage, while the injectable version of Wegovy can exceed $300 monthly without coverage.
Clinical trials showed that patients taking the pill experienced weight loss results comparable to injectables. Reported side effects were similar as well, including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
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