Employers Consider Reducing GLP-1 Weight Loss Drug Coverage
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 11 2026
0mins
Some employers are considering reducing or eliminating coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs next year as usage expands, which may offset some cost benefits from declining prices for therapies like Novo Nordisk's (NVO) Wegovy and Eli Lilly's (LLY) Zepbound, Reuters' Amina Niasse reports. Roughly 10% of employers currently covering GLP-1 weight-loss drugs plan to discontinue that coverage in 2027, according to the Business Group on Health. Cigna (CI) halted coverage of the weight loss treatments for its own employees effective July, Reuters previously reported.
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Analyst Views on NVO
Wall Street analysts forecast NVO stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
3 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 43.520
Low
42.00
Averages
54.67
High
70.00
Current: 43.520
Low
42.00
Averages
54.67
High
70.00
About NVO
Novo Nordisk A/S is a global healthcare company engaged in diabetes care. The Company is also engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products. The Company operates through two business segments: diabetes and obesity care, and biopharmaceuticals. The Company's diabetes and obesity care segment covers insulin, GLP-1, other protein-related products, such as glucagon, protein-related delivery systems and needles, and oral anti-diabetic drugs. The Company's biopharmaceuticals segment covers the therapy areas of hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. The Company also offers Saxenda product to treat obesity. It offers a range of products, including NovoLog/NovoRapid; NovoLog Mix/NovoMix; Prandin/NovoNorm; NovoSeven; Norditropin, and Vagifem. As of December 31, 2016, it marketed its products in over 180 countries. Its regional structure consists of two commercial units: North America and International Operations.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Japan Approves Wegovy for Liver Disease Treatment
- Drug Approval: Japan has officially approved Wegovy subcutaneous injection, co-promoted by Sumitomo Pharma and Novo Nordisk, for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), marking a significant advancement in treatment options for this liver disease.
- Clinical Study Results: In the Phase 3 ESSENCE study, 36.8% of patients receiving Wegovy 2.4 mg showed improvement in liver fibrosis at week 72, compared to only 22.4% in the placebo group, demonstrating Wegovy's significant efficacy in improving liver fibrosis.
- Efficacy Comparison: Among patients treated with Wegovy, 62.9% resolved MASH without worsening liver fibrosis, while only 34.3% in the placebo group achieved this, indicating Wegovy's clear advantage in treating MASH and potentially offering new hope for patients.
- Safety Confirmation: The company stated that Wegovy's safety profile remains consistent with previous data, with no new safety concerns identified, further enhancing its competitive position in the market, especially in the treatment of liver diseases associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
See More
Novo Nordisk Launches Wegovy Pill, Revolutionizing Obesity Treatment
- Intensifying Market Competition: Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill has quickly reached three million prescriptions, indicating consumer preference for oral medications, despite competition from Eli Lilly's new drug Foundayo, which appears less effective and faces a tougher market introduction.
- Transition Year Challenges: Novo Nordisk's stock has plummeted 70% from its 2024 highs, with the company warning of a difficult 2026 due to drug price reductions in the U.S. and generic competition in India, leading to a bearish sentiment among investors in the short term.
- Long-Term Growth Potential: Despite the uncertain short-term outlook, Novo Nordisk anticipates accelerated growth as demand for GLP-1 drugs increases, particularly with the rapid uptake of the Wegovy pill indicating market acceptance and potential for future expansion.
- Attractive Investment Opportunity: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 10x, significantly lower than Eli Lilly's 40x, and a 4.1% dividend yield, Novo Nordisk presents a compelling value proposition for income-focused investors looking for growth opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector.
See More
Novo Nordisk's Comeback in the GLP-1 Market
- Intensifying Market Competition: Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill has quickly reached three million prescriptions, indicating strong demand in the weight-loss drug market, despite competition from Eli Lilly's more effective drugs, suggesting a growing preference for oral medications.
- Pricing Strategy Adjustment: Novo Nordisk has agreed to lower drug prices in the U.S. market and faces generic competition in India, a strategy aimed at addressing potential difficulties in 2026; despite a 70% stock price drop in the short term, long-term growth potential remains.
- Shift in Investor Focus: Although Wall Street's confidence in Novo Nordisk has waned, with concerns about its future, the company believes growth will accelerate as demand for GLP-1 drugs increases, indicating that the market may be underestimating its value and growth potential.
- Attracting Income Investors: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 10x, significantly lower than Eli Lilly's 40x, and a 4.1% dividend yield, Novo Nordisk appeals to income-focused investors, highlighting its long-term opportunities in the weight-loss drug market.
See More
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Pill Hits 3 Million Prescriptions Amid Market Challenges
- Drug Innovation: Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill has quickly gained market traction, reaching 3 million prescriptions, indicating a strong consumer preference for oral medications, which could further enhance the company's market share in the GLP-1 space.
- Intensifying Competition: While Novo Nordisk leads in the GLP-1 drug market, competitor Eli Lilly has launched the oral drug Foundayo, which, despite being less effective, poses a threat to Novo Nordisk, particularly in terms of market education and consumer acceptance.
- Negative Market Reaction: Novo Nordisk's stock has fallen 70% from its 2024 highs, and although it faces short-term challenges, the company anticipates long-term growth potential as demand for GLP-1 drugs increases, especially with drug price reductions.
- Investment Opportunity Assessment: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 10x, significantly lower than Eli Lilly's 40x, and a 4.1% dividend yield, Novo Nordisk may attract income-focused investors, despite the market's pessimistic outlook on its short-term performance.
See More
Novo Nordisk Launches CardioMetabolic Bridge to Advance Obesity Research
- Project Launch: The Novo Nordisk Foundation has initiated the CardioMetabolic Bridge program, committing DKK 450 million ($69.1 million) over six years to advance research on obesity and type 2 diabetes, demonstrating the company's long-term commitment to health innovation.
- European Expansion: The first lab is set to open in London later this month, with additional sites planned in Italy and Germany, creating a comprehensive research network across Europe that aims to enhance Novo Nordisk's influence and market share in the field.
- Innovation Support: Operated by the BioInnovation Institute in Copenhagen, the initiative is designed to assist startups and support established pharmaceutical companies, facilitating the translation of scientific research into treatment solutions and further strengthening Novo Nordisk's R&D capabilities.
- Market Competition: Novo Nordisk indicated that this effort could eventually bolster its drug pipeline, particularly in the context of competing with Eli Lilly in the obesity drug market, highlighting its strategic advantage in the industry.
See More
Zealand Pharma Shares Plunge 23% Amid Survodutide Concerns
- Drug Efficacy Concerns: Zealand Pharma's weight loss drug, survodutide, has shown a 19% patient dropout rate due to side effects in clinical trials, prompting analysts to slash peak sales forecasts by nearly 80%, posing a significant challenge to the company's obesity treatment strategy.
- Stock Volatility: The company's stock plummeted 23% earlier this month and dropped 36% in March due to lower-than-expected efficacy of another drug, petrelintide, marking the two worst performances since its IPO in 2010, with a year-to-date decline of 38%.
- Shift in Market Focus: Despite the bleak outlook for survodutide, investors are shifting their attention to petrelintide, with analysts believing it still holds potential in the weight loss market, especially with upcoming late-stage trials.
- Increased Competitive Pressure: At the American Diabetes Association meeting, amylin drugs like petrelintide were highlighted as key future players, and despite competition from major firms like Eli Lilly, Zealand Pharma still has opportunities to carve out a niche in the obesity market.
See More
Japan Approves Wegovy for Liver Disease Treatment
- Drug Approval: Japan has officially approved Wegovy subcutaneous injection, co-promoted by Sumitomo Pharma and Novo Nordisk, for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), marking a significant advancement in treatment options for this liver disease.
- Clinical Study Results: In the Phase 3 ESSENCE study, 36.8% of patients receiving Wegovy 2.4 mg showed improvement in liver fibrosis at week 72, compared to only 22.4% in the placebo group, demonstrating Wegovy's significant efficacy in improving liver fibrosis.
- Efficacy Comparison: Among patients treated with Wegovy, 62.9% resolved MASH without worsening liver fibrosis, while only 34.3% in the placebo group achieved this, indicating Wegovy's clear advantage in treating MASH and potentially offering new hope for patients.
- Safety Confirmation: The company stated that Wegovy's safety profile remains consistent with previous data, with no new safety concerns identified, further enhancing its competitive position in the market, especially in the treatment of liver diseases associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
See More
Novo Nordisk Launches Wegovy Pill, Revolutionizing Obesity Treatment
- Intensifying Market Competition: Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill has quickly reached three million prescriptions, indicating consumer preference for oral medications, despite competition from Eli Lilly's new drug Foundayo, which appears less effective and faces a tougher market introduction.
- Transition Year Challenges: Novo Nordisk's stock has plummeted 70% from its 2024 highs, with the company warning of a difficult 2026 due to drug price reductions in the U.S. and generic competition in India, leading to a bearish sentiment among investors in the short term.
- Long-Term Growth Potential: Despite the uncertain short-term outlook, Novo Nordisk anticipates accelerated growth as demand for GLP-1 drugs increases, particularly with the rapid uptake of the Wegovy pill indicating market acceptance and potential for future expansion.
- Attractive Investment Opportunity: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 10x, significantly lower than Eli Lilly's 40x, and a 4.1% dividend yield, Novo Nordisk presents a compelling value proposition for income-focused investors looking for growth opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector.
See More
Novo Nordisk's Comeback in the GLP-1 Market
- Intensifying Market Competition: Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill has quickly reached three million prescriptions, indicating strong demand in the weight-loss drug market, despite competition from Eli Lilly's more effective drugs, suggesting a growing preference for oral medications.
- Pricing Strategy Adjustment: Novo Nordisk has agreed to lower drug prices in the U.S. market and faces generic competition in India, a strategy aimed at addressing potential difficulties in 2026; despite a 70% stock price drop in the short term, long-term growth potential remains.
- Shift in Investor Focus: Although Wall Street's confidence in Novo Nordisk has waned, with concerns about its future, the company believes growth will accelerate as demand for GLP-1 drugs increases, indicating that the market may be underestimating its value and growth potential.
- Attracting Income Investors: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 10x, significantly lower than Eli Lilly's 40x, and a 4.1% dividend yield, Novo Nordisk appeals to income-focused investors, highlighting its long-term opportunities in the weight-loss drug market.
See More
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Pill Hits 3 Million Prescriptions Amid Market Challenges
- Drug Innovation: Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill has quickly gained market traction, reaching 3 million prescriptions, indicating a strong consumer preference for oral medications, which could further enhance the company's market share in the GLP-1 space.
- Intensifying Competition: While Novo Nordisk leads in the GLP-1 drug market, competitor Eli Lilly has launched the oral drug Foundayo, which, despite being less effective, poses a threat to Novo Nordisk, particularly in terms of market education and consumer acceptance.
- Negative Market Reaction: Novo Nordisk's stock has fallen 70% from its 2024 highs, and although it faces short-term challenges, the company anticipates long-term growth potential as demand for GLP-1 drugs increases, especially with drug price reductions.
- Investment Opportunity Assessment: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 10x, significantly lower than Eli Lilly's 40x, and a 4.1% dividend yield, Novo Nordisk may attract income-focused investors, despite the market's pessimistic outlook on its short-term performance.
See More
Novo Nordisk Launches CardioMetabolic Bridge to Advance Obesity Research
- Project Launch: The Novo Nordisk Foundation has initiated the CardioMetabolic Bridge program, committing DKK 450 million ($69.1 million) over six years to advance research on obesity and type 2 diabetes, demonstrating the company's long-term commitment to health innovation.
- European Expansion: The first lab is set to open in London later this month, with additional sites planned in Italy and Germany, creating a comprehensive research network across Europe that aims to enhance Novo Nordisk's influence and market share in the field.
- Innovation Support: Operated by the BioInnovation Institute in Copenhagen, the initiative is designed to assist startups and support established pharmaceutical companies, facilitating the translation of scientific research into treatment solutions and further strengthening Novo Nordisk's R&D capabilities.
- Market Competition: Novo Nordisk indicated that this effort could eventually bolster its drug pipeline, particularly in the context of competing with Eli Lilly in the obesity drug market, highlighting its strategic advantage in the industry.
See More
Zealand Pharma Shares Plunge 23% Amid Survodutide Concerns
- Drug Efficacy Concerns: Zealand Pharma's weight loss drug, survodutide, has shown a 19% patient dropout rate due to side effects in clinical trials, prompting analysts to slash peak sales forecasts by nearly 80%, posing a significant challenge to the company's obesity treatment strategy.
- Stock Volatility: The company's stock plummeted 23% earlier this month and dropped 36% in March due to lower-than-expected efficacy of another drug, petrelintide, marking the two worst performances since its IPO in 2010, with a year-to-date decline of 38%.
- Shift in Market Focus: Despite the bleak outlook for survodutide, investors are shifting their attention to petrelintide, with analysts believing it still holds potential in the weight loss market, especially with upcoming late-stage trials.
- Increased Competitive Pressure: At the American Diabetes Association meeting, amylin drugs like petrelintide were highlighted as key future players, and despite competition from major firms like Eli Lilly, Zealand Pharma still has opportunities to carve out a niche in the obesity market.
See More
