Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk is preparing to seek regulatory approval in Australia for an oral version of its blockbuster weight loss injection Wegovy, raising hopes for a needle-free alternative. The pill, already generating significant interest overseas, is about to be dispatched to pharmacies across the United Kingdom.
Regulatory Timeline and TGA Assessment
Novo Nordisk senior director Dr Ana Svensson confirmed that the company is working with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) through the approval process. “We are trying our best to make it available once it’s approved,” she said. The TGA is currently evaluating the medicine’s quality, safety, and efficacy, and a decision could be made by Christmas, according to 7NEWS.
Oral Alternative to Injections
Like the injectable version, the once-a-day pill contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 peptide that suppresses appetite. “Different people have different needs, different preferences. So this would be another option for those that may not want injections,” Svensson noted. The TGA has flagged unapproved peptides bought online as a major safety concern, making an approved oral alternative particularly important.
Addressing Australia's Obesity Crisis
With approximately two in three Australian adults and one in four school-age children now overweight or obese, doctors emphasize the urgent need for more treatment options. Obesity specialist Dr Georgia Rigas stated, “If we intervene early, we can actually change the trajectory and hopefully prevent many of the health conditions that are known to be associated with excess weight.” The oral Wegovy pill could become the first and only oral GLP-1 peptide approved for chronic weight management in Australia.
