The Wegovy weight loss pill is now available in the U.S., marking a significant development in the country's healthcare landscape. Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk is launching its once-daily Wegovy pill, offering doses of 1.5 mg and 4 mg at $149 per month for self-paying patients. This comes as a boon for Novo Nordisk, which aims to regain ground lost to its U.S. rival, Eli Lilly, whose decision is expected in March. The pill's approval by the FDA last month has sparked interest, especially as it provides a needle-free alternative to injectable medications. The Wegovy pill is also under review by UK regulators, with a decision expected by year-end. Shares of Novo Nordisk rose 3% in afternoon trading, while Lilly's shares fell about 1% in U.S. premarket trading. The success of Novo's pill hinges on attracting cash-paying consumers who cannot get insurance coverage, a stark shift from the dominant business model where drug pricing is managed through health insurance plans. Novo's pill will be available through U.S. pharmacies CVS and Costco, as well as telehealth providers like Ro, LifeMD, WeightWatchers, GoodRx, and its own NovoCare Pharmacy. The 1.5 mg dose is the starter dose, containing semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic. Novo also offers the 1.5 mg dose for its oral semaglutide drug for type 2 diabetes, sold as Rybelsus. The remaining doses of the Wegovy pill will be available for patients by the end of this week. Lilly plans to cap higher doses of its obesity pill at $399 a month for repeat cash buyers. The U.S. list prices for injectables are around $1,000 per month or more, but both companies have reduced prices for cash payers. Novo began selling its Wegovy injection at $349 a month to cash payers in November. Under a deal with President Donald Trump, Novo and Lilly agreed to offer starter doses of their weight-loss pills at $149 per month for Medicare and Medicaid enrollees, and to cash payers via the White House's TrumpRx site, expected to launch this month. However, Novo had faced supply shortages after launching its Wegovy injection in the U.S. But with adequate supplies, Novo is confident it can meet demand.
