📰 Wegovy Moves Into the Mainstream
With new deals from CVS and leading telehealth platforms, the reach of Wegovy is expanding fast. What impact will this have on the competitive landscape – and on Novo Nordisk itself?
Last Tuesday, Novo Nordisk NVO 0.00%↑ announced that its weight loss drug Wegovy would become available through major telehealth platforms like Hims & Hers, Ro, and LifeMD. Just one day later, CVS Health followed with news that it will add Wegovy to its standard list of covered medications starting July 1, making it the preferred obesity treatment across Caremark’s large customer base.
These developments show how quickly Wegovy is becoming more accessible across the U.S. They also raise an important question: is Novo Nordisk positioning itself as the clear leader in a weight loss market that’s growing faster than anyone expected?
CVS chooses Wegovy, drops Zepbound
CVS has decided to give Wegovy a bigger role and to stop offering Zepbound, a similar weight loss drug from Eli Lilly. This change could lead millions of people to switch to Wegovy. Caremark, the part of CVS that manages prescriptions, helps arrange which medicines are available to many people in the U.S. By adding Wegovy to its main list and removing Zepbound, CVS is making it easier for people to get Wegovy.
CVS also says it made a better price deal for Wegovy. This can help companies and unions save money. They may use those savings to lower costs for people, such as cheaper pharmacy bills or health plan payments.
Wegovy will also be part of the CVS Weight Management program. This program offers extra help, like meal plans and personal coaching. It’s not just about taking a medicine, but about helping people stick with healthy changes over time.
Expanded access via Telehealth Platforms
Before the CVS news, Novo Nordisk had already made a move to widen access through the digital route. It announced that Wegovy would be offered through several leading telehealth platforms, including Hims & Hers, Ro, and LifeMD.
Through these platforms, people can complete an online consultation, receive a prescription, and have Wegovy delivered to their homes. This opens the door for many people who don’t have access to traditional healthcare plans or prefer the simplicity of online services.
Prices vary depending on the provider. Novo Nordisk’s own online pharmacy, NovoCare, offers Wegovy at $499 per month. Ro matches this price, while Hims & Hers offers the drug for $599 per month, including additional services like 24/7 care, nutrition guidance, and coaching.
This change comes at an important time. In the past, many people used cheaper, copy versions of semaglutide, the ingredient in Wegovy, because the real version was hard to find. But new rules in the U.S. now limit these unofficial versions. As a result, more people are turning to the approved version — and Novo Nordisk is ready to meet that demand.
A turning point for Wegovy
Wegovy is no longer difficult to access. It’s now available in more places, both in pharmacies and online, and often supported by programs that help people stick to healthier habits. For patients, this means more choice and easier access. For Novo Nordisk, it marks an important step in a fast-growing part of the healthcare market.
Investors also took notice. Novo Nordisk’s stock rose more than 5% following the announcements. Eli Lilly’s shares fell over 11%, partly because of the CVS decision, but also due to the company lowering its full-year profit outlook after a recent deal for a cancer treatment.
The weight loss market remains highly competitive, and this shift doesn’t decide the outcome. But with these moves, Novo Nordisk has taken a strong position — one that could give the company an edge as the market continues to grow.
Source: Novo Nordisk Press Release, CNBC
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