TGA approves Wegovy tablet for Australians living with obesity

Therapeutic Goods Administration Approves Wegovy Pill

Australians living with obesity will soon have daily access to an oral weight-loss treatment after the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved a tablet version of Wegovy. Until now, local patients prescribed the medication have relied exclusively on weekly injections. Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk secured the regulatory sign-off on Tuesday evening, bringing the country into line with the United States and Europe.

Key Clinical Takeaways:
• The TGA approved the semaglutide tablet in four dosage tiers: 1.5mg, 4mg, 9mg, and 25mg.
• Industry projections suggest patient numbers could surge by up to 40 per cent following the tablet introduction.
• The oral formulation is expected to hit the market before the end of the year, pending final packaging reviews.

Oral Tablet Remains Stable at Room Temperature

The newly approved oral formulation requires patients to take a single tablet every morning on an empty stomach. Unlike the injectable version of Wegovy, which requires refrigeration, the tablet remains stable at room temperature. A University of NSW study found that nationwide peptide sales increased nearly tenfold over a five-year period, jumping from approximately 58,000 units in May 2020 to about 500,000 sales in April 2025. One tablet containing 25 milligrams of semaglutide acts like a 2.4 milligram injection because the body absorbs active ingredients less efficiently when taken orally.

Tga Cleared the Tablet for Eligible Adults

The TGA cleared the tablet for eligible adults requiring weight management support alongside a reduction in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. Industry intelligence firm Nostradata indicates that 1.6 million Australians bought a GLP-1 medication privately over the previous 12 months, doubling prior estimates of active monthly users. Dr Karen Spielman, chair of the RACGP’s Specific Interests Psychological Medicine group, warned that an increase in prescribing came with patient risks. Spielman noted that rapid prescribing increases carry distinct patient risks, including instances of individuals with eating disorders being hospitalised and TGA warnings regarding potential links to suicidal ideation.

Disclaimer: The

While an official retail price guide has not yet been announced for Australia, patients paying privately for injectable GLP-1 treatments currently face out-of-pocket costs reaching up to $600 per month. In the United States, the oral pill generally retails at a lower price point than the weekly injections. Novo Nordisk must complete final TGA reviews regarding packaging and production processes before pharmacy shelves are stocked later this year. Meanwhile, rival manufacturer Eli Lilly has an application before the TGA for its competing oral weight-loss candidate, Orforglipron.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.

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