Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy weight‑loss pill has made a promising start in the U.S. market following its launch earlier this month. Early retail pharmacy data indicate that approximately 3,071 prescriptions were filled in the first four days, marking the first indication of real-world demand for the daily oral GLP‑1 therapy approved for obesity treatment in adults.
These figures do not include prescriptions processed through Novo Nordisk’s online NovoCare Pharmacy, suggesting that the total number of patients starting the pill is likely higher, according to Barclays analysts.
The launch of the oral formulation represents a shift in the weight‑loss treatment landscape, expanding patient options beyond weekly injectable GLP‑1 therapies. It also adds a strategic new tool to Novo Nordisk’s portfolio alongside its established injectable version, addressing rising demand for therapies that balance efficacy with convenience. The oral pill delivers semaglutide, a GLP‑1 receptor agonist, which has shown clinically meaningful weight reduction in major trials.
The early uptake has drawn attention from investors, lifting Novo Nordisk shares as market watchers assess how the pill will perform amid competition. The obesity treatment market is rapidly evolving, with oral GLP‑1 therapies expected to capture a growing share. Industry projections indicate that pills could account for over a third of GLP‑1 treatment volume by 2030, reflecting the increasing appeal of convenient, non-injectable options.
The oral Wegovy launch also sets the stage for intensified competition. Eli Lilly’s oral GLP‑1 candidate, forglipron, is under regulatory review, highlighting the race among pharmaceutical companies to capture a share of the expanding weight‑loss market. Barclays notes that while early prescription data are encouraging, a fuller assessment of the pill’s market impact will require additional weeks of data, including uptake through direct and online channels.
Overall, the initial figures underline the growing shift toward oral obesity therapies and demonstrate the potential for these treatments to reshape the competitive dynamics of the weight‑loss drug segment while providing patients with more convenient options.
