Wegovy Pill Approved as First Oral Weight Loss Drug

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Wegovy pill, marking it as the first daily oral medication for obesity treatment. This approval gives Novo Nordisk a competitive edge over Eli Lilly, whose oral drug, orforglipron, is still under review.

Both Wegovy and orforglipron are GLP-1 drugs designed to mimic a natural hormone that regulates appetite. Wegovy's clinical trials showed an average weight loss of 13.6% over 15 months compared to 2.2% for a placebo.

In contrast, Eli Lilly's orforglipron produced an average weight loss of 11.2% over nearly 17 months. The Wegovy pill is expected to be available within weeks, potentially broadening access to obesity treatment, which could expand the market significantly.

Additionally, the cost of the Wegovy pill is anticipated to be lower than the injectables, with a starting price of $149 per month. This could alleviate financial barriers for many Americans, as about one in eight have used injectable GLP-1 drugs but face high costs.

Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford noted that the availability of these pills provides more options for patients dealing with obesity. Novo Nordisk's innovative pill formulation requires it to be taken on an empty stomach, while Eli Lilly's drug lacks such restrictions.

The potential market impact of these developments is significant, with an obesity treatment market poised for growth amidst rising healthcare demands. The FDA's decision reflects the increasing recognition of obesity as a critical health issue, affecting around 100 million Americans.