Amazon Pharmacy announced it will begin dispensing Novo Nordisk’s newly approved Wegovy pill — the first oral GLP‑1 therapy for weight loss — joining a broad rollout that’s reshaping how Americans access obesity treatment.
A pill instead of a shot
What makes this different is simple: for many people, swallowing a tablet is easier than starting a weekly injection. Novo Nordisk won FDA approval for the oral semaglutide formulation in late December 2025 after phase 3 results showed meaningful weight loss in trial participants. The company and distributors are positioning the tablet as a lower-friction route into GLP‑1 therapy for adults with obesity or overweight and weight‑related conditions.
Amazon’s move underscores that strategy. The e‑commerce giant said eligible customers with commercial insurance can pay as little as $25 for a one‑month supply under Novo Nordisk’s savings program, while cash‑pay starting prices for the 1.5 mg starter dose begin at about $149 per month. Amazon also plans to make the drug available via its prescription vending kiosks at select One Medical clinics, and it touts same‑day delivery and transparent pricing as selling points for its digital pharmacy service.
Where else it’s available — and what it costs
Novo Nordisk reports the pill is broadly available across more than 70,000 U.S. pharmacies, including major chains, plus select telehealth providers and the company’s own pharmacy services. Retail partners such as Sam’s Club have said pharmacists will offer counseling and same‑day delivery for members; Sam’s Club specifically confirmed it will dispense the 1.5 mg starting dose under the manufacturer’s self‑pay offer for $149 per month and provide pharmacist guidance on initiating therapy.
Pricing notes to keep in mind:
- Starter dose (1.5 mg) — self‑pay from about $149/month; commercial insured patients may pay as little as $25/month with a savings offer (terms apply). Government beneficiaries are generally excluded from manufacturer savings programs.
- Higher doses — Novo Nordisk has promotional pricing for some higher doses through April, with later price tiers rising (e.g., $199–$299/month for certain strengths after promotional periods).
If you’re shopping around, the pill is also being offered through telehealth platforms and other pharmacies, and some retailers are pairing access with pharmacist counseling and digital wellness tools to help people adapt to therapy.
What the clinical data show — and the safety picture
In the OASIS 4 trial cited by Novo Nordisk, participants taking the Wegovy pill achieved average weight loss in the mid‑teens percentage range over roughly a year when combined with diet and exercise — larger effects than placebo. The company reports an average reduction of about 14% by the trial’s treatment‑policy analysis and roughly 17% in an estimand assuming everyone stayed on treatment.
Common side effects are largely gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation. The company and regulators also flag more serious but less common risks — pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, increased heart rate, and possible thyroid tumors observed in rodent studies — along with mental‑health warnings about mood changes and suicidal thoughts in some patients. Wegovy should not be used by people with certain thyroid cancer histories or endocrine syndromes, and people planning pregnancy are advised to stop therapy well before conceiving. Detailed prescribing information and safety guidance are available from the manufacturer at Wegovy.com.
Why access and distribution matter now
Oral delivery changes the logistics of availability. Pills dovetail with retail pharmacy networks, telehealth visits and same‑day delivery options in ways that injectable biologics have not. That opens routes for patients who were reluctant to try injections and for clinicians who want easier prescribing workflows. At the same time, rollout timing, promotional prices and insurer coverage will shape who can actually get these medicines affordably.
The broader context is a rapidly evolving obesity‑drug market: several other companies are developing or seeking approval for competitor oral or injectable agents, and payers are under pressure to respond to demand while managing costs. For people considering therapy, the practical next steps are straightforward: talk with your health care provider about whether GLP‑1 treatment fits your medical profile, ask your pharmacist about initiation and side‑effect management, and check the terms of any savings program before assuming a particular out‑of‑pocket cost.
If you want the manufacturer’s consumer information and resources, Novo Nordisk hosts patient materials at Wegovy.com and provides full prescribing details there.