The European Medicines Agency has approved a key update to the product information for Wegovy injection, allowing the medicine to remain at controlled temperatures of up to 30°C for as long as 48 hours during delivery. 

 

The decision is set to ease logistics for pharmacies and online distributors and could make distribution of the weight-loss drug more flexible across Europe.

 

The change marks a shift away from strict cold-chain requirements that previously governed the entire supply route. Until now, Wegovy had to be kept refrigerated from manufacturing through to patient delivery. 

 

Under the updated guidance, only the final delivery leg—from pharmacy to patient—can now tolerate short-term exposure to higher temperatures, simplifying last-mile logistics.

 

Global pharma giant Novo Nordisk said the update could support faster, more discreet, and potentially lower-cost home delivery models, especially as digital health channels expand across Europe.

 

“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 of Novo Nordisk.

 

The company added that reduced reliance on cold-chain transport could also cut packaging volume and weight, further streamlining distribution.

 

The update applies to healthcare professionals through changes to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). Patient instructions remain unchanged: after first use, Wegovy can still be stored for up to 28 days at temperatures below 30°C or in a refrigerator.

 

Importantly, the decision applies only to Wegovy injection, not the oral version of the drug. The pill formulation remains under regulatory review in the EU and is expected to be decided later in 2026.

 

The move reflects a broader shift toward direct-to-patient healthcare delivery models, including online pharmacy distribution and other digital channels that are reshaping how prescription medicines reach patients across Europe.

 

Novo Nordisk continues to position Wegovy as a cornerstone of its obesity treatment portfolio, alongside its ongoing expansion into metabolic and chronic disease therapies.