Global Scans · Diet Drugs · Weekly Summary

• [New] Novo's primary semaglutide patent is set to expire in 2026 in Canada and China. Medical News Today
• [New] Eli Lilly's high-profile obesity treatment tirzepatide and its potential oral GLP-1 counterpart, orforglipron, if approved, will see monthly prices drop from more than $1080 to an average of $346 when purchased through TrumpRx. AJMC
• [New] A US-wide trial will test whether tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, may be an effective treatment for people with long Covid. Wired
• [New] An estimated 10% of Medicare beneficiaries will be eligible for expanded access to GLP-1 drugs, and will only pay $50. BBC News
• [New] The Medicare price for GLP-1 drugs will be offered through a pilot program that will cover most beneficiaries. Healthcare Dive
• [New] Novo's once-daily oral Wegovy is under U.S. FDA review with a decision expected in late 2025, while Lilly's orforglipron is set for regulatory submission by the end of 2025 and a potential launch in 2026. Global News
• [New] WeightWatchers intends to offer Novo Nordisk's pill version of Wegovy if it makes its US debut in 2026 following potential FDA approval. Pharmaceutical Commerce
• [New] Semaglutide therapy reduced incidence of any stroke when compared to a placebo through significant reductions in risk of small-vessel occlusion in a post hoc analysis of the SUSTAIN 6 and PIONEER 6 trials. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] If the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approve a Wegovy pill, or similar oral drugs, initial doses will sell at $150 a month. Medical Economics
• [New] GLP-1 drugs Wegovy, Zepbound will have lower prices and be covered by Medicare. Medical Economics
• [New] In 2025, significant regulatory changes are anticipated, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rules under increased PBMs scrutiny that will closely examine pharmacy benefit managers in relation to GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic. HotBot
• [New] A smaller proportion of patients receiving cagrilintide-semaglutide were at intermediate-to-high risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years. touchCARDIO
• [New] Novo Nordisk could get the greenlight for oral Wegovy before Eli Lilly's orforglipron as it submitted its application to the US Food and Drug Administration earlier. Clinical Trials Arena
• [New] America is about to enter a new era of GLP-1 drugs: Eli Lilly is expected to imminently submit an application to the FDA requesting approval to sell a new GLP-1 pill for weight loss. The Atlantic
• [New] Trump's remarks and other officials seem to say that Medicare will be opened up to GLP-1 coverage for obesity alone. The Healthcare Labyrinth
• [New] Many employers expect their overall costs to rise following the potential FDA approval of oral versions of GLP-1 drugs. Business Insider
• [New] If oral GLP-1 tablets are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, the lowest dose will cost $149. CNN
• [New] Along with Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, Eli Lilly's weight-loss pill, orforglipron, will be sold for $149 for the lowest dose. BBC News
• [New] Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly will sell their GLP-1 drugs for obesity and diabetes to some Medicare enrollees for $245 a month under an agreement hammered out with the Trump administration. Healthcare Dive
• Novo Nordisk's STEP UP trial shows semaglutide delivers 21% weight loss and reduces key cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors in obesity management. Patient Care Online
• If approved by the FDA, Wegovy in a pill will be fully made in the US, with production already underway at Novo Nordisk's North Carolina manufacturing facilities. Cision PR Newswire
• The deal positions Cipla as a first mover in India's nascent GLP-1 obesity care segment, projected to grow 40 x by 2030. Emerging Market Skeptic

Last updated: 22 November 2025