Wegovy is the brand name of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used with reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management, cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with established cardiovascular disease and obesity/overweight, and treatment of noncirrhotic MASH with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis under accelerated approval. U.S. initial approval in this label is 2017.
Delaware's state employee health plan may raise GLP-1 copays from $32 to $120 per month or eliminate weight-loss drug coverage entirely, as costs are projected to reach $211 million by 2029. A decision is expected February 23, 2027.
Wegovy and Mounjaro prices in South Korea are higher than in China and Japan. South Korea added both drugs to a non-insurance reporting system, but immediate price cuts are unlikely.
Trump secured agreements with 16 pharmaceutical companies tied to TrumpRx.gov, including most-favoured-nation pricing and direct-to-patient discounts. Several companies disclosed price cuts for obesity, diabetes, insulin and other medicines.
GLP-1 drugs used for type 2 diabetes and obesity are seeing rising demand for weight loss as safety concerns also draw attention. A 2025 WHO guideline said long-term safety data remains limited.
Vermont insurers and employers are scaling back GLP-1 coverage as costs rise, leaving some patients without access. The drugs remain in high demand as studies point to benefits beyond weight loss.
A Johns Hopkins study found GLP-1 users face increased dementia risk after a decade, possibly due to longer lifespan. A separate JCI review found GLP-1 drugs show neuroprotective signals in preclinical studies but consistent cognitive benefits in humans remain unproven.
GLP-1 drugs are still being studied for Alzheimer’s and addiction after semaglutide failed to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. A 2025 abstract reported semaglutide slowed cognitive impairment in an Alzheimer’s model.
The FDA has announced plans to crack down on active pharmaceutical ingredients used in compounded GLP-1 drugs and warned about the risks of these products. The agency has cited counterfeit products, non-FDA-approved ingredients and more than 1,000 adverse event reports tied to compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Biopharma companies are increasingly outsourcing FDA-approved drug manufacturing to Europe despite 15% U.S. tariffs, with Europe recording triple the U.S. deal volume in 2025. Simultaneously, nearly half of pharma companies offshored R&D activities last year, citing talent access and lower costs. Major investments by companies like Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and AstraZeneca highlight the ongoing shift of pharmaceutical operations overseas.
Boots has launched an in-store weight loss service across 17 UK locations, offering face-to-face consultations for weight-loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro. The service includes a 10-week free weight loss programme and 12-month aftercare, with prices starting at £99.97 for Wegovy. This marks the first high street pharmacy to provide such in-person weight loss treatment consultations.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07090343 |
Semaglutide in Patients Undergoing Transcatether Aortic Valve Replacement |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE3 |
| NCT07036172 |
Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide Injection Vs WEGOVY® in Chinese Obese Patients |
RECRUITING | PHASE3 |
| NCT06830343 |
The Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of of SYH9017 in Chinese Participants With Overweight and Obesity |
RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
