Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Pill to Launch in the UAE Following Regulatory Approval
By Dominic Chopping
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy weight-loss pill has been approved for use in the United Arab Emirates.
The Emirates Drug Establishment said it approved the once-daily tablet after clinical data showed the drug's effectiveness in supporting weight reduction and long-term weight maintenance when combined with a healthy lifestyle, in addition to its role in reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events among at-risk populations.
"With this approval, the UAE has become the second country globally to authorize the treatment, in a move reflecting the country's leadership in adopting advanced therapeutic innovations and enabling early access to them," the regulator said in a statement.
The Wegovy pill was launched in the U.S. in early January. After seeing strong uptake by Americans, executives at the Danish drugmaker said they were planning to launch in other markets this year, without naming them.
Dubai-based healthcare provider Metabolic said in a separate release that it will be the first clinic in the UAE to have access to the pill when it becomes available in the country in mid-June through a phased launch.
Metabolic has opened a priority waitlist and said patient access to the drug will be prescription-based and initiated through a medical consultation.
The Emirates Drug Establishment approved Eli Lilly's Foundayo weight-loss pill in April, and the drug became available in the country shortly afterwards.
Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 02, 2026 09:27 ET (13:27 GMT)
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