The Emirates Drug Establishment has approved the Wegovy oral weight loss pill for use in the UAE. The medication, which is already prescribed locally as an injection, arrived in the country on Monday in its new daily tablet form.
TL;DR:The Emirates Drug Establishment has approved the Wegovy oral weight loss pill for daily use in the UAE. Manufactured by Danish firm Novo Nordisk, the daily tablet offers a cold-storage-free alternative to injections and is designed to support adults living with obesity or weight-related medical conditions.
Key Features and Trial Results of the Oral Pill
The newly approved daily tablet introduces several practical and clinical differences compared to traditional injectable treatments:
- No cold storage is required, unlike injectable forms of semaglutide.
- Patients take the treatment as a once-daily oral tablet.
- Clinical trials showed the highest 25mg dose led to an average weight loss of 16.6 percent over 64 weeks.
- The treatment is expected to be priced similarly to the Foundayo oral pill, which starts from Dh773 and rises to Dh1,599.
Regulatory Approval and Health Strategy
The Emirates Drug Establishment approved the daily pill following regulatory clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration earlier this year. The decision aligns with national efforts to promote early obesity management and reduce chronic health complications.
Approving the oral formulation of Wegovy [semaglutide] reaffirms the establishment’s commitment to promoting the pharmaceutical ecosystem and reinforcing a proactive approach to addressing obesity and overweight challenges.
— Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, director general of the Emirates Drug Establishment
Dr Al Kaabi added that the decision supports the evaluation and approval of innovative therapies in line with internationally recognised scientific standards. The regulatory approval was based on clinical studies demonstrating the treatment's effectiveness when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
Novo Nordisk Expands UAE Footprint
Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk manufactures the drug and has announced plans to expand its operations in the region. The company will open a new distribution centre in the UAE, making it one of three facilities managing the global distribution of its products.
According to the manufacturer, the decision to select the UAE was driven by the country's advanced investment and logistics capabilities. The company also plans to establish a scientific office and roll out a talent development programme for Emirati nationals.
Semaglutide has a well-established safety profile and is widely trusted within the medical community, while its once-daily oral formulation offers greater convenience and supports patient adherence to treatment.
— Venkat Kalyan, general manager of Novo Nordisk Gulf
Clinical Impact and Behavioural Changes
Medical professionals support the use of the new oral treatment due to its role in reducing cardiovascular risks among vulnerable patients. By reducing obesity rates, doctors hope to see a decrease in diagnoses of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
The introduction of oral options is changing how healthcare providers approach weight management. Experts note that the physiological effects of the medication directly assist patients in modifying their daily habits.
The exact retail pricing for the first batches of the oral pill in the UAE has not yet been officially announced. However, local distributors expect the pricing structure to align with existing oral weight loss therapies currently in circulation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wegovy available in the UAE?
Yes, Wegovy is approved and available in the UAE. In addition to the weekly injection, the Emirates Drug Establishment has approved a new once-daily oral tablet form of Wegovy to support adults living with obesity.
Is there a Wegovy pill?
Yes, there is a daily oral tablet version of Wegovy manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It has been approved for use in the UAE as a cold-storage-free alternative to the traditional injectable treatment.
How much does Wegovy cost in the UAE?
While exact pricing for the newly approved oral Wegovy pill is not yet finalized, it is expected to be priced similarly to the Foundayo oral pill, which starts from Dh773 and rises to Dh1,599 in the UAE.
How do you take the Wegovy weight loss pill?
Unlike the weekly injectable version, patients take the newly approved oral formulation of Wegovy as a once-daily tablet. It does not require cold storage, making it a highly convenient alternative.
How effective is the Wegovy oral pill for weight loss?
Clinical trials of the oral Wegovy pill showed that the highest 25mg dose led to an average weight loss of 16.6 percent over a period of 64 weeks when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
