Copenhagen, January 11, 2026, 23:22 CET — Market closed
- Shares of Novo Nordisk rose 3% in Copenhagen on Friday following Amazon Pharmacy’s launch of the Wegovy pill
- Amazon announced that eligible commercial insurance clients could pay as little as $25, while cash-paying customers face a starting rate of $149 per month
- Investors are now focused on CEO Mike Doustdar’s appearance at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Jan. 13
Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO) shares climbed 3% to 381.45 Danish crowns on Friday after Amazon Pharmacy announced it will offer the drugmaker’s Wegovy weight-loss pill through insurance coverage as well as a cash-pay option. The U.S.-listed ADRs (NVO) closed 2.6% higher at $58.81. (Reuters)
Novo’s new distribution channel is crucial as the company seeks to steady sentiment following a rough 2025. In July, the stock plunged almost 30% in one day after it lowered its 2025 sales forecast. Since then, investors have been quick to sell on any sign of weakening U.S. growth. (Reuters)
Amazon is promoting the pill as a smoother checkout experience: shoppers can review insurance and cash prices side-by-side, with any qualifying coupons automatically applied at checkout, the company said. “Amazon Pharmacy is focused on making it easier for customers to access the latest innovations in weight loss care,” said Tanvi Patel, vice president and general manager of Amazon Pharmacy. (Business Wire)
After U.S. regulators gave the green light to the Wegovy pill in late December, Novo CEO Mike Doustdar claimed the company had “more than enough pills this time” and planned to go “all in” on the rollout. Yet, BMO Capital analyst Evan Seigerman warned that edge “could be short-lived” once competitors launch their own oral versions. (Reuters)
Wegovy’s pill features semaglutide, the identical active ingredient found in Novo’s injectable versions of Wegovy and the diabetes medication Ozempic. This GLP-1 drug—glucagon-like peptide-1—acts like a gut hormone to suppress appetite and control blood sugar levels.
Amazon announced it will launch the pill at prescription kiosks in select One Medical clinics within weeks, creating a brick-and-mortar link to its digital pharmacy. The medication is also available via major retail pharmacies and telehealth services, broadening access for new users. (The Independent)
Novo isn’t the only player pushing “no-needle” weight loss forward. In December, Eli Lilly reported its oral drug helped patients sustain weight loss after switching from injections in a trial, ramping up the urgency for Novo to capitalize on its early lead. (Reuters)
Markets were closed over the weekend, so traders will be looking to Monday for signs of follow-through and if early demand emerges in prescription chatter—not just from press releases. Reimbursement signals carry as much weight as raw interest since insurers can delay starts through prior authorisations.
Reimbursement continues to be the key variable. Coverage for obesity drugs varies widely, and demand from cash-paying patients can drop if they struggle with daily treatment or face side effects.
Price poses a risk as well. Should competition drive wider discounts on pills or injections, any volume growth might fail to boost earnings as some investors expect.
The next key event is Jan. 13, when CEO Mike Doustdar will speak at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco at 6:45 p.m. CET, per Novo’s investor relations calendar. (Novo Nordisk)
Investors are now eyeing the next earnings update, with Investing.com marking Feb. 4 as the date to watch. Early details on Wegovy pill prescriptions, supply, and pricing might shape positioning ahead of that report. (Investing)
