Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said 80% [1] of customers using the Wegovy pill have never taken a GLP-1 medication before.
This shift suggests that an oral delivery method is removing a significant barrier for patients who previously avoided injectable weight-loss treatments. By capturing a new segment of the market, the company may expand the reach of GLP-1 therapies beyond those already accustomed to needles.
Doustdar said the data during the American Diabetes Association’s 2026 Scientific Sessions [2]. The CEO said the trend during a CNBC Television interview, noting the specific appeal of the pill format for those entering the treatment pipeline for the first time.
"80% of Wegovy pill customers have never taken a GLP-1 before," Doustdar said [1].
The GLP-1 class of drugs has seen rapid adoption for both diabetes and obesity management. While injectable versions established the market, the introduction of a pill allows for easier administration, a factor that often influences patient preference in chronic care.
Novo Nordisk is using these figures to illustrate the market impact of the oral formulation [3]. The company aims to demonstrate that the pill is not merely a convenience for existing patients, but a gateway for a broader population of people seeking weight management solutions.
“80% of Wegovy pill customers have never taken a GLP-1 before.”
The high percentage of first-time users indicates that needle phobia or the inconvenience of injections was a primary deterrent for potential GLP-1 patients. By converting a non-user base into customers via an oral tablet, Novo Nordisk is effectively expanding the total addressable market for obesity medication rather than just migrating existing users from one product to another.
