The oral version of the popular weight-loss drug Wegovy is now available in U.S. pharmacies, offering a new option for individuals seeking treatment for obesity. Developed by Novo Nordisk, the pill provides the same active ingredient (semaglutide) as the existing injectable version, but in a more accessible format.
Why This Matters: Addressing Access Barriers
For months, demand for Wegovy and similar medications like Ozempic has outstripped supply, and high costs have kept many patients from accessing treatment. While the pill doesn’t solve the affordability crisis entirely, it removes some hurdles: the injectable form requires refrigeration and can be lost if exposed to heat, while the pill is more stable and easier to store.
How Wegovy Works: A Gut-Hormone Mimic
Wegovy mimics a natural gut hormone, triggering feelings of fullness faster and reducing appetite. The pill requires a higher dosage than the injection to achieve comparable results because it’s absorbed differently in the digestive system. Clinical trials show that the highest pill dose (25mg) results in an average 16.6% weight loss over 64 weeks, similar to the 17.4% reduction seen with the highest injection dose.
The Cost Breakdown: Still Expensive, But Potentially Lower
Novo Nordisk has priced the pill in tiers. The starting dose (1.5mg) is $149 per month, while higher doses (9mg and 25mg) cost $299. Insurance coverage may bring the cost down to as low as $25 per month for some patients. However, experts note that the pill isn’t significantly cheaper than the injection, despite lower production and storage costs.
“Even though I’m not surprised, I am disappointed that the oral treatment, which doesn’t have that higher cost, is going to be a [similar] price for patients.” – Rozalina McCoy, endocrinologist at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Concerns Remain: Off-Label Use and Price Gouging
Some healthcare professionals worry that the pill’s ease of access could lead to increased off-label use by individuals without obesity. Despite FDA guidelines, doctors and patients will decide together if treatment is appropriate. Further competition from other GLP-1 medications, like Eli Lilly’s orforglipron, may help lower prices over time.
The arrival of Wegovy pills marks a step toward wider access to obesity treatment, but affordability and responsible use remain critical challenges.
