Overview
- The Wegovy oral tablet, an EU‑authorized form of semaglutide for adults with obesity or overweight plus a weight‑related condition, will be dispensed in German pharmacies from September 1 under private prescription.
- Novo Nordisk and pharmacy groups say supply will meet expected demand and the pill requires daily fasting‑timed dosing with a much higher oral dose than weekly injections.
- Clinical evidence shows tablets and weekly injections produce comparable short‑term weight loss but carry common gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea.
- German statutory insurers are not expected to pay for Wegovy for weight loss because weight‑loss drugs are treated as lifestyle medicines, prompting proposals to limit reimbursement to patients at highest cardiovascular or health risk.
- Doctors and pharmacists warn against buying semaglutide from unregulated online sellers because of the lack of medical oversight and the unresolved questions about long‑term safety and weight regain after stopping therapy.