Health · Pharma & Biotech · 1 day ago
Wegovy weight-loss pill gets off to a slow start in Germany
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill is selling slowly in Germany, where pharmacies dispensed 16,000 packs in September.
In the same month, they dispensed 391,000 semaglutide injections, although the figures do not include other sales channels.
The pill may appeal to people who dislike injections, but it must be taken daily and users must avoid food and drink for eight hours beforehand.
At up to €270 a month, it is costly, and health insurers generally do not cover it when used only for weight loss.
Studies say both the pill and injection can reduce body weight by about 17 percent.
Novo Nordisk has launched a campaign with Jürgen Klopp to promote the treatment and raise awareness of obesity and diabetes.
A survey cited in the story found that 3.5 percent of adults in Germany had used weight-loss medicines, compared with 20 percent in the United States; Novo says sales outside the US are encouraging, and more markets may follow.
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy weight-loss pill has had a slow start in Germany, with 16,000 packs dispensed through pharmacies in September.
In the same month, pharmacies dispensed 391,000 packs of semaglutide injections.
Complex daily-use instructions and monthly costs of up to €270 may be discouraging patients.
Novo Nordisk has launched a nationwide campaign featuring football coach Jürgen Klopp to raise awareness.
A Bain study found that 3.5% of adults in Germany had used weight-loss medicines in 2026, compared with 20% in the United States.
- Who
- Novo Nordisk, the Danish maker of Wegovy, and people in Germany considering weight-loss medication.
- What
- Wegovy’s pill form has had a slow start, with far fewer packs dispensed through pharmacies than injections.
- When
- September; the article was published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- Complex instructions and costs of up to €270 per month may contribute to low demand.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
German pharmacies dispensed 16,000 packs of semaglutide tablets and 391,000 corresponding injections.
Novo Nordisk launched a nationwide awareness campaign in Germany featuring Jürgen Klopp.
- Tablet packs
- 16,000 dispensed through German pharmacies in September
- Injection packs
- 391,000 dispensed through German pharmacies in September
- Monthly pill cost
- Up to €270
- Use in Germany
- 3.5% of adults had used weight-loss medicines in 2026
- Campaign figure
- Jürgen Klopp
What people are saying
great successes
encouraging
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