The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Novo Nordisk's new once-daily pill for weight management, designed to help people reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction in the long term.
The Novo Nordisk treatment marks a milestone in medical obesity care by offering the convenience of a pill with weight-loss results comparable to therapies that have typically required injections. The approval provides a new option for patients who need medical support for obesity but have been reluctant to use needles.
The pill was launched in the US in early January 2026 and is now drawing attention from other areas of the world, including Indonesia.
The country is facing a growing obesity challenge, with the obesity rate among adults having reached 23.4%, according to the 2023 Indonesia Health Survey (Survey Kesehatan Indonesia, SKI).
Central obesity, often reflected in abdominal fat, was recorded at 36.8% among people aged 15 and above.
These conditions increase the risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and stroke.
Beyond the health impact, obesity also carries an economic cost; a 2016 study by Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) estimated obesity-related losses in Indonesia at around tens of billions of rupiah annually when factoring in healthcare spending and productivity losses.
From Indonesia's perspective, Sreerekha Sreenivasan, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Indonesia, emphasised that this breakthrough is a vital part of a long-term mission to transform obesity care.
"In Indonesia, we are facing a critical rise in obesity, which frequently acts as a gateway to other life-threatening conditions such as diabetes and heart disease."
"For many, lifestyle changes alone are not enough and they deserve access to comprehensive medical support," she stated.
"The rapid pace of scientific innovation, including the innovation of GLP-1 therapies, proves that the medical community is now better equipped than ever to treat obesity as the serious chronic disease it is — moving the conversation far beyond personal appearance and toward long-term health and survival," she added.
Data from the global OASIS 4 clinical trial showed Novo Nordisk's once-daily pill delivered significant weight-loss results. Participants lost an average of 16.6% of their starting body weight after about a year of consistent treatment.
One in three patients achieved weight loss of more than 20% — a level that can translate into meaningful improvements in daily functioning and quality of life for people living with obesity. The findings suggest the oral option can deliver weight loss comparable to the once-weekly injectable version already available.
Beyond weight loss, the therapy is also approved to reduce the risk of serious heart and cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke, in certain patient groups.
Clinical data showed approximately a 20% reduction in cardiovascular risk among patients with heart disease who also have obesity or overweight. This means obesity management with this therapy addresses more than appearance — it offers meaningful protection for heart health and the potential to extend lifespan.
Sreenivasan emphasised that Novo Nordisk's current focus in Indonesia is collaborating with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to strengthen the understanding that obesity is a serious chronic disease requiring medical attention.
"We are currently very focused on education, building healthcare capacity and expanding access to existing treatments," she explained.
"At present, a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 therapy from Novo Nordisk is already available in Indonesia as a medical solution for patients."
Although the GLP-1 pill is expected to reach the US market in early January 2026, the development signals where obesity treatment is heading globally. The public is encouraged to view obesity as a medical condition that deserves serious care, not simply a matter of personal appearance.