News Brief: First GLP-1 Weight Loss Pill Launches in U.S.
Summary
Novo Nordisk has launched the first-ever GLP-1 pill for weight loss in the United States, offering a new oral treatment option. The pill, with a starting monthly cash price as low as $149, aims to improve affordability and accessibility compared to existing injections.
Key Points
- Historic Launch: The Wegovy pill is the first oral GLP-1 drug for weight loss available in the U.S., approved by the FDA on December 22.
- Pricing & Access: Cash prices range from $149 to $299 per month. The starting dose is now available at over 70,000 pharmacies (e.g., CVS, Costco) and select telehealth providers.
- Affordability Goal: The lower price point addresses a major barrier, as competing weekly injections list for about $1,000/month (though lower cash prices exist).
- Efficacy: In trials, the highest dose helped patients lose an average of up to 16.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks.
- Broader Approval: The pill is also approved to reduce cardiovascular risks in obese adults with heart disease, similar to injectable Wegovy.
- Market Context: This launch gives Novo Nordisk a lead over rival Eli Lilly in the burgeoning oral weight-loss drug market, projected to be worth billions.
- Administration Note: The pill must be taken daily, waiting 30 minutes before eating or drinking.
新闻简报：首款GLP-1减肥药片在美国上市
摘要
诺和诺德在美国推出了首款GLP-1减肥药片，提供了一种新的口服治疗选择。该药片每月现金起售价低至149美元，旨在相比现有注射疗法提高可负担性和可及性。
关键点
- 历史性上市：Wegovy药片是美国首款可用于减肥的口服GLP-1药物，于12月22日获得FDA批准。
- 定价与获取：现金价格在每月149至299美元之间。起始剂量现已在超过7万家药房（如CVS、Costco）及部分远程医疗提供商处提供。
- 可负担性目标：较低的价格点旨在解决主要障碍，因为竞品每周注射剂的标价约为每月1000美元（尽管存在更低的现金价格）。
- 疗效：试验中，最高剂量帮助患者在64周内平均减重高达16.6%。
- 更广泛的批准：该药片亦获准用于降低患有心血管疾病的肥胖成人的主要心血管事件风险，这与注射剂Wegovy的批准标签一致。
- 市场背景：此次上市使诺和诺德在价值数十亿美元的口服减肥药市场中领先于竞争对手礼来公司。
- 服用说明：需每日服药，且服药前后需等待30分钟才能进食或饮水。
Original Article Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/05/first-glp-1-pill-for-obesity-from-novo-nordisk-launches-in-the-us.html