In statements to CNN Portugal, Novo Nordisk, which owns Wegovy, explains that, currently, in Portugal only the injectable versions of the drug exist in dosages of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg, with prices that can vary between €150 and €200.

Tablet treatment

The oral treatment of Wegovy has already been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), however, there is still no confirmed date for the availability of the drug in Portugal.

Based on treatments already performed in the United States, the Danish pharmaceutical company reveals that, among the available dosages, treatment begins with a dose of 1.5 mg, once a day, with a gradual increase to 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg, with the patient taking each dose for a period of four weeks.

Novo Nordisk also explains that the maintenance dose will be 25 mg per day, always respecting the guidelines of the responsible physician. Although there is no forecast for when the tablet will appear in Portugal, oral obesity treatment is already available in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates.

New injectable version

Although the sale of Wegovy tablets in Portugal is not yet scheduled, Novo Nordisk says that the launch of the 7.2 mg injectable version, in a pre-filled, single-use pen, may enter the Portuguese market in the coming months.

The same source also says that the price should be similar to other brands that also produce injectable pens for weight loss. In other words, compared to the price of Mounjaro, the new Wegovy product should cost €400 in Portugal.

Price reduction

Novo Nordisk claims to have lowered the prices of its medications in order to improve access and support adherence to obesity treatment, which it considers to be a chronic disease requiring long-term treatment. In this regard, the Danish pharmaceutical company is said to have reduced the price by 19%.