Wegovy: Novo Nordisk's weight loss pill has hardly found any takers so far

The weight loss pill Wegovy from Novo Nordisk hardly finds any buyers in Germany

In September, 16,000 pill packs of semaglutide were dispensed in pharmacies, compared to 391,000 shots in the same period

The complex intake rules and the costs of up to 270 euros per month could explain patients' reluctance

Novo Nordisk is launching a campaign with Jürgen Klopp because in Germany only 3.5 percent of adults use weight loss products, while in the USA it is 20 percent

Dusseldorf. The weight loss pill Wegovy (active ingredient: semaglutide) from the Danish manufacturer Novo Nordisk had a rather cautious start in Germany. In September, 16,000 tablet packs containing the active ingredient semaglutide were distributed through pharmacies, the pharmacy association ABDA said upon request. In contrast, 391,000 corresponding syringes were sold over the counter in the same period. Other sales channels outside of pharmacies are not included. In other countries such as the USA and Great Britain, the rush was significantly greater in the first few weeks.

So far it has mainly been new users with a strong aversion to injections who have opted for the oral form, explained ABDA President Thomas Preis a few weeks ago. In the USA, on the other hand, around 33 percent of new Wegovy prescriptions are for tablets.

One reason for the reluctance could be the uncomplicated rules for taking it. In contrast to the injection, the tablet must be taken daily - beforehand, patients are not allowed to eat or drink anything for eight hours.

The tablet costs up to 270 euros per month - and is therefore on a similar scale to the syringe. The money is usually not reimbursed by the health insurance companies - at least not if it is exclusively about weight loss. According to studies, both the Wegovy injection and the tablet are said to reduce body weight by around 17 percent.

Novo explains that it cannot provide any information on local sales or sales figures. However, the company has already achieved “great success” in caring for people with obesity in Germany.

Campaign with Jürgen Klopp

Nevertheless, the company is now investing to boost sales in Germany: the company recently launched a nationwide awareness campaign with national soccer coach Jürgen Klopp. Motto: "No one is left alone. Together against diabetes and obesity".

This could be worthwhile, as a recently published study by the consulting firm Bain suggests: According to this, only 3.5 percent of adults in Germany in 2026 have already used weight loss medications - i.e. injections and tablets. In Great Britain, however, it is seven percent and in the USA it is 20 percent.

However, the preparations may have already had an effect: According to their own assessment, Germans are now spending less money on bread and sweets, pizza and burgers, and more on fruit, vegetables and salad. To this end, 1,000 consumers in Germany were surveyed, 168 of whom were users of weight loss medications.

In addition to Germany, the USA and Great Britain, the Wegovy pill is now also available in the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Spain, France and Poland. Sales outside the US are “encouraging,” explains Novo. More markets will be added soon.

Competitor Eli Lilly is also planning to introduce its weight loss tablet in Germany. However, a date has not yet been set.