Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Pill Sees Strong Uptake with Over 26,000 Prescriptions in Second Week
COPENHAGEN/NEW YORK, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Novo Nordisk’s newly launched oral version of its blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy is off to a strong start, with U.S. prescriptions surpassing 26,000 in its second full week on the market, according to IQVIA data cited by analysts on Friday.
The data, shared by Barclays in a research note, shows the Wegovy pill was prescribed 26,109 times for the week ended January 23. This follows 18,000 prescriptions in the prior week and 3,071 in the first four days after its January 5 launch.
Investors are closely monitoring the rollout to gauge whether Novo Nordisk can solidify its first-mover advantage in the lucrative obesity drug market, where it faces mounting pressure from rival Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound.
“The launch trajectory for the oral formulation appears very strong,” Barclays analysts noted. “Convenience of a pill could expand the treatable population beyond injectable users.”
The oral Wegovy contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide, as the injectable version, which has faced supply constraints amid soaring demand. The pill form is seen as a strategic move to capture patients hesitant about injections and to ease manufacturing bottlenecks.
Market Impact: The early prescription numbers suggest strong physician and patient interest, potentially widening Novo’s lead in the obesity care segment, estimated to exceed $100 billion globally by the decade’s end. However, Eli Lilly is expected to seek approval for its own oral weight-loss drug, retatrutide, later this year, setting the stage for a fierce battle.
What People Are Saying
Dr. Anya Sharma, Endocrinologist, Boston: “The pill option is a game-changer for patient adherence. Many are uncomfortable with self-injection. This could significantly broaden access to effective obesity treatment.”
Michael Torres, Healthcare Portfolio Manager, Hartford Funds: “These are solid early numbers, but the real test is sustainability. Lilly’s pipeline is deep, and payer coverage will be the next critical hurdle for both companies.”
Rebecca Cole, Patient Advocate, ‘Health Over Hype’ Blog: “It’s just another cash cow for Big Pharma. They’re medicalizing normal life variations while the root causes—food systems, mental health, inequality—go unaddressed. And at what cost to patients long-term?”
David Chen, Pharmacy Owner, San Francisco: “We’ve had constant inquiries since the announcement. The demand is real, but we’re also fielding questions about side effects and insurance prior authorizations. The logistical rollout is just as important as the script numbers.”
(Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore. Additional reporting by Reuters Health correspondents.)