Novo Nordisk Unveils Wegovy Pill, Sparking Price Fight

A cheaper, needle-free version of the blockbuster GLP-1 weight-loss treatment has hit US shelves, and it could shake up a market already buzzing with competition. Novo Nordisk has started selling a daily Wegovy tablet in the United States after receiving regulator approval just before Christmas. The Danish drugmaker billed the pill as the first oral medicine that mimics the appetite-suppressing GLP-1 hormone. It opened with notably lower cash prices than the injectable alternatives: the introductory 1.5mg dose is being sold for $149 a month — about $5 a day — while insured patients may pay roughly $25 monthly. A mid-strength 4mg option is $149 until 15 April and then rises to $199; the top doses are listed at $299 a month. That pricing undercuts the headline list rates for injectables, which typically run into the thousands, though manufacturers have recently offered reduced cash prices. Novo itself began offering a Wegovy injection at $349 a month to self-paying customers in November. The new pill is already stocked in more than 70,000 US outlets, from big chains such as CVS and Costco to telehealth providers including Ro, LifeMD and WeightWatchers. It will also be available through Donald Trump’s TrumpRx website. Investors reacted swiftly: Novo Nordisk’s shares climbed more than 4% on the news, even as the company’s stock remains substantially lower than a year ago after a series of profit warnings, job cuts and management changes. The launch intensifies competition with US rival Eli Lilly, which is developing its own oral obesity drug and had signalled plans to cap higher-dose cash prices at $399 a month if approved. For patients, the shift could be more than just cheaper. A tablet removes the needle barrier for people who dislike injections and may be simpler to slot into a busy day — think popping a pill with breakfast rather than managing refrigerated injections. Novo said clinical results showed meaningful weight loss when patients stayed on treatment. The move also sharpens a pricing battle that has been unfolding as manufacturers respond to soaring demand and scrutiny over affordability. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have already trimmed prices for customers paying out of pocket. Across the Atlantic, the UK’s medicines regulator is reviewing Wegovy’s tablet application, with a decision expected before the end of the year. If approved, the pill’s arrival could force fresh questions about access and cost for the NHS and for patients weighing whether to start treatment. --- Managing your business finances? TaxAce provides smart online accountancy services for UK businesses with flexible monthly plans. Image and reporting: https://www.theguardian.com | Read original article