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Novo Nordisk Executive Highlights Strong Demand for Oral Weight-Loss Pill

Wegovy’s oral version of its injectable weight-loss drug is generating significant interest, according to Novo Nordisk executive Dave Moore, who spoke with FOX Business on Friday.

Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2025, Wegovy’s once-daily pill is the first oral GLP-1 drug and officially launched in U.S. markets on Monday. Moore emphasized the excitement surrounding this new option, stating, “There are so many patients that have been on the sidelines just waiting because they didn’t really see themselves treating with an injection.” He added, “Now that the pill is available, we are seeing a lot of excitement and a lot of activity.”

WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS COULD ADD YEARS TO AMERICANS’ LIVES, RESEARCHERS PROJECT

Wegovy injection pens arranged in Waterbury, Vermont.

Wegovy injection pens arranged in Waterbury, Vermont, on April 28, 2025. (Shelby Knowles/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Wegovy’s clinical trials indicate that the pill provides similar weight loss results to its injectable counterpart. “There isn’t that much of a difference,” Moore explained. “That’s what we’re so excited about. That’s what we’re so proud about at Novo Nordisk is that patients now don’t have to make a choice. They don’t have to compromise.”

The pill will be accessible at 70,000 pharmacies across the nation, including major retailers like CVS, Costco, and GoodRx.

TARGET BEEFS UP PROTEIN, SUPPLEMENT OFFERINGS, CAPITALIZING ON WEIGHT LOSS DRUG TREND

weight loss drug wegovy

Wegovy is pictured as an injectable prescription weight loss medicine. (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)

For those paying cash, the pricing for the semaglutide pill is lower than that of the injectable version. Eligible insured customers will pay approximately $25 a month, while uninsured individuals will pay around $149 a month, as reported by FOX Business anchor Liz Claman.

Moore highlighted that while the manufacturing costs for both the pill and injection are similar, making the pill affordable was a priority for Novo Nordisk. He also pointed out the additional benefits associated with Wegovy, which extend beyond weight loss.

“Both the injection and the pill have a secondary indication, and that is to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease,” Moore stated, noting that the FDA classifies the drug as a preventative heart disease medication.

AMERICA’S OBESITY CRISIS MEETS THE OZEMPIC BOOM AS DATA REVEALS GLP-1 HOT SPOTS

While Wegovy’s pill is the only oral GLP-1 medication approved by the FDA for weight loss, Novo Nordisk’s competitor, Eli Lilly, is reportedly close to obtaining approval for its own oral version.

Eli Lilly headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana

Eli Lilly headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 3, 2023.  (AJ Mast/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Moore also addressed concerns regarding what happens when patients discontinue GLP-1 medications, noting that many experience weight regain. “If you go off treatment, likely the weight returns, and so that prolonged treatment is important,” he explained. He compared it to long-term treatments for hypertension or diabetes, emphasizing that ongoing treatment is necessary.

Claman inquired whether Novo Nordisk is exploring alternatives that would not require lifelong use. Moore responded, “There is a lot of R&D [research and development] that’s taking place, and of course, we are at the center of that.”

Wegovy’s oral version of its injectable weight-loss drug is generating significant interest, according to Novo Nordisk executive Dave Moore, who spoke with FOX Business on Friday.

Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2025, Wegovy’s once-daily pill is the first oral GLP-1 drug and officially launched in U.S. markets on Monday. Moore emphasized the excitement surrounding this new option, stating, “There are so many patients that have been on the sidelines just waiting because they didn’t really see themselves treating with an injection.” He added, “Now that the pill is available, we are seeing a lot of excitement and a lot of activity.”

WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS COULD ADD YEARS TO AMERICANS’ LIVES, RESEARCHERS PROJECT

Wegovy injection pens arranged in Waterbury, Vermont.

Wegovy injection pens arranged in Waterbury, Vermont, on April 28, 2025. (Shelby Knowles/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Wegovy’s clinical trials indicate that the pill provides similar weight loss results to its injectable counterpart. “There isn’t that much of a difference,” Moore explained. “That’s what we’re so excited about. That’s what we’re so proud about at Novo Nordisk is that patients now don’t have to make a choice. They don’t have to compromise.”

The pill will be accessible at 70,000 pharmacies across the nation, including major retailers like CVS, Costco, and GoodRx.

TARGET BEEFS UP PROTEIN, SUPPLEMENT OFFERINGS, CAPITALIZING ON WEIGHT LOSS DRUG TREND

weight loss drug wegovy

Wegovy is pictured as an injectable prescription weight loss medicine. (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)

For those paying cash, the pricing for the semaglutide pill is lower than that of the injectable version. Eligible insured customers will pay approximately $25 a month, while uninsured individuals will pay around $149 a month, as reported by FOX Business anchor Liz Claman.

Moore highlighted that while the manufacturing costs for both the pill and injection are similar, making the pill affordable was a priority for Novo Nordisk. He also pointed out the additional benefits associated with Wegovy, which extend beyond weight loss.

“Both the injection and the pill have a secondary indication, and that is to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease,” Moore stated, noting that the FDA classifies the drug as a preventative heart disease medication.

AMERICA’S OBESITY CRISIS MEETS THE OZEMPIC BOOM AS DATA REVEALS GLP-1 HOT SPOTS

While Wegovy’s pill is the only oral GLP-1 medication approved by the FDA for weight loss, Novo Nordisk’s competitor, Eli Lilly, is reportedly close to obtaining approval for its own oral version.

Eli Lilly headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana

Eli Lilly headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 3, 2023.  (AJ Mast/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Moore also addressed concerns regarding what happens when patients discontinue GLP-1 medications, noting that many experience weight regain. “If you go off treatment, likely the weight returns, and so that prolonged treatment is important,” he explained. He compared it to long-term treatments for hypertension or diabetes, emphasizing that ongoing treatment is necessary.

Claman inquired whether Novo Nordisk is exploring alternatives that would not require lifelong use. Moore responded, “There is a lot of R&D [research and development] that’s taking place, and of course, we are at the center of that.”