Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) has introduced the tablet form of its blockbuster obesity treatment Wegovy in the United Arab Emirates, marking the second country worldwide to receive the oral version of the medication.
The launch follows regulatory approval granted earlier this week by health authorities in the UAE and comes several months after the Danish pharmaceutical group debuted the product in the United States.
UAE Becomes Second Market for Oral Wegovy
The Emirates Drug Establishment authorized the once-daily weight-management pill after evaluating clinical evidence demonstrating its effectiveness in helping patients achieve meaningful weight loss and maintain reductions over the long term when combined with healthy lifestyle measures.
Regulators also highlighted the treatment’s ability to lower the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in eligible patient populations, further strengthening its role in obesity management.
The approval represents another step in Novo Nordisk’s efforts to broaden access to its obesity therapies beyond injectable treatments.
Growing Focus on Long-Term Obesity Care
Novo Nordisk said future market launches for the oral formulation will be determined by several factors, including patient demand, healthcare system readiness and the availability of infrastructure needed to support long-term obesity treatment.
The company is assessing markets based on both medical need and the capacity of healthcare providers to manage patients receiving ongoing weight-management therapies.
Additional International Launches Expected
Emil Kongshoj Larsen, Head of International Operations at Novo Nordisk, indicated that the UAE met the key requirements the company considers when introducing new obesity treatments.
“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,” Larsen said.
The launch underscores Novo Nordisk’s broader strategy of expanding the global availability of Wegovy as demand for obesity treatments continues to grow across both developed and emerging healthcare markets.