science
Novo Nordisk Launches Wegovy Oral Weight-Loss Pill in UAE, First Market Outside the U.S.
The Danish drugmaker introduced its oral weight-loss treatment in the UAE on Wednesday, the first market outside the United States. The Emirates Drug Establishment approved the pill earlier this week for weight management and cardiovascular-risk reduction.
Jun 3, 3:42 AM·1m read1 source
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U.S. market. The Emirates Drug Establishment approved the Wegovy pill for weight management and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients earlier this week.
Emil Kongshøj Larsen, executive vice president of International Operations at Novo Nordisk, said the UAE has demonstrated strong momentum across patient demand, healthcare professional readiness, and healthcare and telehealth infrastructure. Novo’s approach to launches will be guided by patient demand, the readiness of healthcare professionals, and the strength of healthcare and telehealth infrastructure, Larsen said.
“The UAE has demonstrated strong momentum across all of these areas, and we look forward to bringing Wegovy pill to additional select countries in the coming months,” he said.
U.S. in the second half of 2026, pending approvals. 3 billion Danish kroner ($355 million).
Total prescriptions of the pill reached more than 2 million in early May. Lilly’s Mounjaro overtook Novo’s Ozempic as the best-selling GLP-1 in the second quarter of 2025. Lilly recently launched its own weight-loss pill, Foundayo, which has had a slower uptake since its launch in early April.
Lilly CEO David Ricks said it will take time to establish Foundayo on the market as it is a totally new drug and brand.
