A New Hope in the Fight Against Obesity: The Wegovy Pill Arrives

The U. S. is seeing a big change in how obesity is treated. Novo Nordisk has just launched the first-ever GLP-1 pill for weight loss. This pill, called Wegovy, is a game-changer because it's much cheaper than the usual weekly injections. The price ranges from $149 to $299 per month, depending on the dose. This could make weight loss treatment more affordable for many people. The pill is now available at over 70, 000 pharmacies, including big names like CVS and Costco. You can also get it through telehealth providers like Ro and Weight Watchers. The starting dose is already out, and the higher doses will be available soon. People with insurance might pay as little as $25 per month.This pill is not just for weight loss. It can also help reduce the risk of serious heart problems for people with obesity and heart disease. The pill works by mimicking a gut hormone called GLP-1, which helps control appetite. In trials, the highest dose helped people lose up to 16. 6% of their weight on average after a year. Novo Nordisk is not the only company working on this. Eli Lilly is also developing a similar pill, but Novo Nordisk has a head start. The FDA approved Novo Nordisk's pill in December and will decide about Eli Lilly's pill later this year. Both companies are competing in a market that could be worth $100 billion by the 2030s. The launch of this pill is a big deal. It could make weight management easier and more affordable. But it's important to remember that pills are just one part of the solution. Eating healthy and staying active are still key to losing weight and keeping it off.