Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy tablet tops 3 million US prescriptions and wins EU approval

Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy tablet has recorded more than three million prescriptions in the United States since its launch in January 2026, capturing 89 % of all oral GLP‑1 prescriptions and generating sales double initial expectations. The drug, priced at $149 per month, is credited with an average 17 % weight loss in clinical trials, with one‑third of participants losing at least a fifth of their body weight.

On 15 July 2026, the European Commission granted marketing authorisation for the oral tablet across 27 EU member states as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, with a higher‑dose injectable version also approved. Distribution in Europe is slated for the second half of 2026. A U.S. Medicare pilot, started 1 July 2026, reduces co‑payments for GLP‑1 drugs to $50 until the end of 2027, further supporting market growth. The approval positions Novo Nordisk ahead of rival Eli Lilly, which received U.S. clearance for its own oral GLP‑1 therapy later in 2026.