The pill version of popular weight-loss drug Wegovy became available in the U.S. on Monday, offering patients a daily oral option to the weekly injectable drug.
WASHINGTON — Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss pill is now offered through Amazon’s digital pharmacy.
The pill version of popular weight-loss drug Wegovy became available in the U.S. on Monday, offering patients a daily oral option to the weekly injectable drug.
Customers with insurance can get a one-month supply for as little as $25, while those without insurance can get it through a cash-pay option for $149 a month, Amazon said in its announcement.
“Amazon Pharmacy is focused on making it easier for customers to access the latest innovations in weight loss care,” Tanvi Patel, Vice President and General Manager of Amazon Pharmacy said in a statement. “By offering Wegovy through both insurance and a straightforward cash-pay option, we’re giving people more choice, greater transparency and fewer barriers to care.”
Producing pills is generally cheaper than making drugs delivered via injections, making the cost for the new oral medications lower. The Trump administration last year said officials had worked with drugmakers to negotiate lower prices for the GLP-1 drugs, which can cost upwards of $1,000 a month.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the pill version of Wegovy in December. The medication contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient used in injectable Wegovy and Ozempic, and works by slowing digestion and reducing appetite.
The pill must be taken on an empty stomach with water, at least 30 minutes before food, drink or other medications.
Novo Nordisk said it has similar side effects to injections, including nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
Amazon added that in the coming weeks, it would also offer the Wegovy pill through its prescription vending kiosk, located in certain One Medical clinics.
The pricing of the weight loss pill is the same as Novo Nordisk’s announcement on Monday. The 1.5-milligram daily pill costs $149 per month for patients paying out of pocket. A 4-milligram dose is available at the same price through April 15, after which it will increase to $199. Higher doses will cost more, Nordisk said.
Clinical trial data showed patients using the oral Wegovy pill lost about 14% of their body weight, while those who remained on treatment longer lost closer to 17%, when combined with diet and exercise. By comparison, placebo groups lost about 2%.
The pill’s arrival comes as demand for GLP-1 drugs continues to grow. About 1 in 8 Americans have used injectable GLP-1 drugs, according to a survey from KFF, a nonprofit health policy research group.
Competitor Eli Lilly is also developing its own weight-loss pill, orforglipron, which is still under FDA review. A decision is expected by spring.
Katrina Morgan and the Associated Press contributed to this report.