• FDA approves the Wegovy pill, marking the first daily oral medication for weight loss.
• The pill contains 25mg of semaglutide, similar to the injectable version.
• It provides a potential lower-cost alternative to existing GLP-1 treatments.
• The Wegovy pill could expand access to obesity treatments for many Americans.
• Novo Nordisk's shares surged after the approval announcement, highlighting investor confidence.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Wegovy pill, a groundbreaking oral medication for weight loss developed by Novo Nordisk. This pill, which contains 25 milligrams of semaglutide, is notable as it is the first daily oral GLP-1 medication specifically approved for weight management, previously available only in injectable form. The approval, announced on Monday, positions Novo Nordisk favorably against competitor Eli Lilly, whose oral weight-loss drug, orforglipron, is still under review, according to Reuters.

The Wegovy pill has shown promising results in clinical trials, demonstrating an average weight loss of 16.6% over 64 weeks in participants, compared to 2.2% for those on a placebo. The convenience of a once-daily pill addresses concerns about injection hesitancy, and health experts believe it will broaden access to effective obesity treatments for many Americans who struggle with the high costs associated with injected GLP-1 medications, according to BBC and Reuters.

This approval comes at a time when the obesity market is rapidly growing, expected to reach a value of $150 billion by the end of the decade. The launch of Wegovy pills is projected for early January 2026, with a pricing strategy allowing a starting dose of $149 per month, significantly lower than the approximately $1,350 per month for the injectable version. This pricing model aims to make weight-loss treatments more accessible for cash-paying customers, fulfilling a vital need amidst rising healthcare costs, as reported by CBS News and India Times.