Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) is seeing strong uptake of its oral Wegovy treatment, with the tablet formulation accounting for roughly one-third of all Wegovy prescriptions by May, according to a Bank of America report published on Thursday.
The data highlights the rapid adoption of the oral version since its market debut earlier this year and underscores continued momentum across the broader GLP-1 weight-loss drug market.
Oral Formulation Gains Market Share
Bank of America said oral Wegovy represented approximately 33% of total Wegovy prescriptions during May.
For the week ending June 5, 2026, total weekly prescriptions for the oral treatment reached 159,000.
The product, which launched in early January, has expanded its presence quickly, with new prescriptions continuing to account for a significant portion of overall demand.
During the latest reported week, oral Wegovy made up 40% of all new Wegovy prescriptions.
After an initial period of rapid growth, the oral formulation’s share of total prescriptions has recently stabilized in the low-30% range.
GLP-1 Market Maintains Strong Growth Trend
The wider GLP-1 category continued to deliver robust expansion, with total weekly prescriptions increasing approximately 33% year-over-year in May.
That compares with annual growth rates of 32% in April and 31% in March.
According to the report, the sector has consistently recorded year-over-year growth of between 30% and 35% since July 2025, reflecting sustained demand for diabetes and obesity treatments based on GLP-1 therapies.
Weekly new prescriptions across the category rose 28% year-over-year in the week ending June 5.
Sales Momentum Remains Strong
Prescription growth has continued to translate into rising sales across the GLP-1 market.
Monthly sales for the category increased 35% year-over-year in April, following growth of 38% in March and 36% in February.
The figures indicate that demand for GLP-1 therapies remains resilient despite growing competition and ongoing debate around reimbursement policies.
Employer Coverage Trends Create New Challenges
While prescription volumes remain strong, changes in insurance coverage could influence future growth.
Cigna has announced that it will discontinue coverage of GLP-1 weight-loss treatments, including Wegovy and Zepbound, within its employee health plan beginning July 1, 2026.
The insurer cited broader treatment availability and evolving healthcare options as factors behind the decision.
Obesity Coverage Remains Limited
Data from the Pharmaceutical Strategies Group’s 2026 survey highlighted the gap between diabetes and obesity coverage among employers.
The report found that 94% of employers provide coverage for GLP-1 medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes, while only 34% cover the drugs for obesity management.
Among employers surveyed, 14% indicated they were planning to withdraw coverage, while 31% said they were unwilling to offer obesity coverage regardless of cost.
Medicare Infrastructure Continues to Develop
The report also noted progress in the administration of Medicare-related GLP-1 programs.
According to documentation for CMS’s Medicare GLP-1 Bridge initiative, McKesson’s CoverMyMeds platform has been selected as the electronic prior-authorization provider, helping streamline access and approval processes for eligible patients.
As oral Wegovy continues to gain traction and the broader GLP-1 market expands, investors and healthcare providers will be closely watching how coverage decisions and reimbursement policies shape the next phase of growth.