Novo Nordisk has introduced its weight-loss drug Wegovy in Thailand, marking the medication’s first launch in Southeast Asia. First released in 2021, Wegovy significantly contributed to Novo Nordisk’s valuation, which reached up to USD 615 billion at its peak, making the company one of Europe’s most valuable publicly listed firms.
Wegovy is already available in several countries, including the United States, Japan, and China. Thailand is now the latest addition. The drug received approval from Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration in 2023. It is currently accessible through private hospitals and is expected to be introduced in public hospitals soon.
Novo Nordisk has invested around USD 13.6 million (approximately 500 million Thai baht) in clinical trials conducted in Thailand over the past four years. Its diabetes medication, Ozempic, which contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy, is already on the Thai market.
Details regarding Wegovy’s pricing in Thailand or the company’s plans for expansion into other Southeast Asian countries have not been disclosed.
According to Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, about 42% of the adult population is classified as obese. Among school children, obesity rates increased from 5.8% to 15% over the past two decades. Health-related costs and reduced productivity associated with obesity are estimated to account for about 1% of Thailand’s gross domestic product.
(Source: Reuters)
