Novo Nordisk(US:NVO) 第一财经·2025-12-01 12:54Core Viewpoint - Novo Nordisk's oral GLP-1 drug, semaglutide, is expected to receive FDA approval for weight loss in the U.S. by the end of this year, while no oral GLP-1 drugs for weight loss are currently available globally [3][10]. Group 1: Market Situation - There is a significant presence of products labeled as "oral," "weight loss," and "semaglutide" on major e-commerce platforms in China, primarily sourced from Japan and shipped from Hong Kong [3][10]. - The most common products found include "semaglutide weight loss tablets" in 3mg and 7mg dosages, with prices such as 638 RMB for 20 tablets of 7mg and 1498 RMB for 100 tablets of 3mg [3][10]. - Following inquiries about the legality of these sales, all such products were removed from the platforms [9]. Group 2: Regulatory Compliance - Semaglutide is classified as a prescription drug and must be purchased with a prescription, indicating that the current sales channels are non-compliant [10]. - The approved indication for semaglutide oral tablets globally is for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, with no current approval for weight loss, including in Japan [10]. Group 3: Pricing and Availability - Many domestic patients seeking weight loss are reportedly purchasing semaglutide through proxy channels from Japan, where the pricing is notably lower [18]. - The lowest price for the 3mg oral semaglutide in Japan is approximately 139.6 JPY per tablet, equivalent to about 6.8 RMB [18]. - The oral semaglutide "Nuohexin" is expected to be approved for type 2 diabetes treatment in China in January 2024, and it will also require a prescription for purchase [18].