TLDR
- Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy weight loss pill recorded 3,071 retail prescriptions in its first four days after January 5, 2026 launch
- The Danish company’s stock increased 6.5% reaching its highest price since September 2025 following the sales data
- Eli Lilly dominates injectable weight loss market with Zepbound and awaits FDA approval for its oral pill by April 2026
- Berenberg analysts estimate oral Wegovy could deliver $1 billion in sales during 2026 with successful market execution
- Both pharmaceutical companies are selling directly to cash-paying consumers through retail pharmacies and telehealth services
Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy weight loss pill generated 3,071 retail prescriptions during its first four days of sales. The medication became available to U.S. consumers on January 5, 2026.
IQVIA healthcare data analytics provided the prescription tracking information. The numbers reflect only retail pharmacy sales and do not include online pharmacy channels like Novo’s NovoCare Pharmacy.
Novo Nordisk’s stock price gained 6.5% following the prescription data announcement. The shares hit their highest trading price since September 2025. The company had struggled with declining stock values in 2025 after issuing profit warnings.
Market Launch and Sales Channels
Novo Nordisk is offering oral Wegovy through major pharmacy chains CVS and Costco. The company established partnerships with telehealth providers Ro, LifeMD, WeightWatchers, and GoodRx to reach consumers directly.
The company is prioritizing U.S. sales before expanding to international markets. This strategy aims to prevent supply shortages similar to those that occurred during the 2021 injectable Wegovy launch.
Ro CEO Zach Reitano confirmed the oral Wegovy is drawing interest from new patients and current users of other GLP-1 medications. The pill format offers convenience for patients who prefer oral medications over injections.
Berenberg analysts project oral Wegovy could generate $1 billion in revenue during 2026. This forecast assumes Novo can maximize its first-to-market position before competitors arrive.
UBS analysts stated that 400,000 first-quarter prescriptions would indicate launch success comparable to Eli Lilly’s Zepbound. That performance would exceed the original injectable Wegovy launch from 2021.
Eli Lilly Competition Timeline
Eli Lilly leads the weight loss injection market through its Zepbound medication. The drug received FDA approval in late 2023 and now generates higher quarterly sales than injectable Wegovy.
Clinical trial data showed Zepbound produced better weight loss outcomes than Wegovy in direct comparisons. Eli Lilly’s market value reaches $982 billion compared to Novo Nordisk’s $210 billion.
The FDA will decide on Eli Lilly’s oral weight loss medication by April 2026. Approval would end Novo’s exclusive position in the oral weight loss pill market.
Barclays analysts warned that Novo faces potential sales pressure from price competition and shifting state insurance policies. The company must balance competitive pricing with profit margins.
Weight Loss Treatment Development
Eli Lilly is developing orforglipron as its oral weight loss drug candidate. The company is testing retatrutide, which demonstrated 28.7% average weight loss in 68-week trials.
Lilly maintains product diversity beyond weight loss treatments. The company markets cancer drug Verzenio and psoriasis treatment Taltz, each producing over $1 billion in annual sales.
Novo Nordisk filed an FDA application for CagriSema, an additional weight loss therapy. The company is expanding its treatment portfolio while defending against Lilly’s market position.
Both companies are pursuing consumers who pay directly rather than through insurance plans. This approach represents a shift from traditional pharmaceutical industry insurance-based models.
Analysts indicated the initial four-day prescription data provides limited insight. Multiple weeks of sales tracking will reveal clearer trends about oral Wegovy’s market performance.
Industry observers will monitor first-quarter results closely. The data will show whether Novo can maintain market leadership before Eli Lilly’s oral medication potentially launches in spring 2026.
