More Patients Can Access Wegovy as Novo Nordisk Increases Supply

Supply constraints had limited availability of the lowest dose

Novo Nordisk announced on Wednesday that it has increased production of the lowest dose of its popular weight-loss drug, Wegovy. This means that more patients in the United States will be able to start taking the medication.

Wegovy was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021 for the treatment of chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher. The drug is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which works by mimicking a hormone that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels.

Wegovy has been in high demand since its launch, and there have been reports of shortages of the drug. In May 2023, Novo Nordisk limited the supply of the lowest dose (0.25 mg) of Wegovy in order to meet demand for the higher doses.

The company said that the increased production of the 0.25 mg dose is due to "significant progress" in its manufacturing efforts. Novo Nordisk also said that it is working to increase the supply of the higher doses of Wegovy.

"We are pleased to announce that we are now able to make Wegovy more readily available to patients in the United States," said Martin Dahl, executive vice president and chief business officer of Novo Nordisk. "We understand the challenges that patients have faced in accessing this important medication, and we are committed to doing everything we can to improve availability."

The increased availability of Wegovy is good news for patients who have been struggling to lose weight. Wegovy has been shown to be very effective in clinical trials, with patients losing an average of 15% of their body weight over a year.

However, it is important to note that Wegovy is not a magic bullet for weight loss. The drug should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise program. Wegovy can also cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.

If you are considering taking Wegovy, it is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the medication.

In addition to the increased availability of Wegovy, Novo Nordisk also said that insurance coverage for the drug is continuing to improve. The company said that about 50 million people in the U.S. with obesity should now be able to get coverage for Wegovy.

This is good news for patients who are concerned about the cost of the drug. Wegovy is a very expensive medication, and without insurance coverage, it can cost thousands of dollars per month.

The increased availability and insurance coverage of Wegovy is a positive development for patients who are struggling with obesity. Wegovy is a safe and effective medication that can help patients lose weight and improve their health.