Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company, is currently newsworthy due to a combination of factors related to its popular weight-loss drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic. The company is forecasting a potential sharp drop in revenue for 2026, attributed to factors like potential US government pressure to lower drug prices, increased competition in the weight-loss market, and the expiration of key patent protections. Simultaneously, concerns are rising about the availability of these drugs, or counterfeit versions, without proper prescriptions, as highlighted by reports in Hong Kong and warnings in Britain about potential fake tablet forms flooding the market. However, in a positive development, the US FDA has approved a pill version of Wegovy, marking the first such approval for a weight-loss drug in pill form. This approval offers a more convenient alternative to injections, but also raises concerns about potential counterfeiting. Novo Nordisk's situation reflects the complex landscape of the weight-loss drug market, balancing innovation, accessibility, and regulatory challenges.