The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved an update to the product information for Wegovy injection that allows the medicine to stay at a controlled temperature of up to 30°C for up to 48 hours during delivery, reducing distribution complexity for pharmacies and online partners. This approval makes Wegovy the only GLP-1 for weight management with this flexibility in Europe.

Previously, the distribution and delivery of Wegovy were fully subject to cold chain, meaning the medicine had to be kept cold from where it is made to where it is used. With the recent EMA approval, there is now added flexibility for the final stage: delivery of Wegovy from pharmacies to patients can occur within a 48-hour window at temperatures up to 30°C.

This approval could continue to unlock eHealth options for Wegovy in Europe, providing new ways to make delivery easier and potentially cheaper for partners. The reduced dependence on cold chain transport is expected to reduce packaging volume and weight.

“Home delivery of medicines is growing rapidly, given the convenience of being able to receive your medicines at your doorstep, which we have come to expect from most other aspects of our lives. People with obesity using prescription medicine may also face stigma, and we are therefore excited about the opportunity to reduce distribution complexity while further enabling discrete home delivery options,” said Mike Doustdar, CEO and President, Novo Nordisk.

The approval reflects evolving industry practices, including the growing use of direct-to-patient distribution models such as delivery via online pharmacies and other non-traditional dispensing channels.

The approved update to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for Wegovy is aimed at healthcare providers, including doctors and pharmacists. There is no change to the patient leaflets for Wegovy, which states that after first use, patients can keep Wegovy injectable for up to 28 days at a temperature under 30°C or refrigerated.

It is important to note that this applies to Wegovy injection, not the Wegovy pill, which does not need to be refrigerated. The Wegovy pill is approved in the US, and is pending EU regulatory decision later in 2026.