Selling the Hype: How Ozempic Became a Billion-Dollar Brand

Publish Date : 06/14/2025

Ozempic hit U.S. pharmacies in early 2018 with a launch campaign that would make Madison Avenue jealous. Novo Nordisk blanketed TV screens, social media feeds, and even prime-time events with catchy jingles and promises of weight loss — even though Ozempic was never approved as a weight loss drug. Their goal was clear: build the brand fast and make it irresistible.

The company sweetened the deal with co-pay savings cards and promotional pitches to doctors, spending over $884 million on TV advertising since 2018. And they didn’t stop there. In 2022 alone, Novo Nordisk dropped more than $11 million on meals, trips, and perks for doctors to write Ozempic prescriptions — flying physicians to Paris, London, and even Hawaii under the guise of “education.”

It worked. In February 2023 alone, Ozempic prescriptions hit a record 373,000 in one week, and social media exploded with over 1.3 billion views on the #Ozempic hashtag. Despite claiming they’d pull back on advertising during drug shortages, Novo Nordisk continued to promote semaglutide products online, feeding the hype that made Ozempic one of 2023’s “buzziest drugs.”

But behind the feel-good messaging and flashy ads, there’s a darker story brewing: side effects, misuse, and growing concern from medical professionals about Novo Nordisk’s aggressive marketing tactics.

Want to find out if you or a loved one has an Ozempic claim?

Please feel free to contact an Ozempic Lawsuit attorney at info@westrikeback.com or 1-877-542-4646. One of our experienced Ozempic Lawsuit lawyers will help evaluate your claim and explain your legal rights for free. McSweeney / Langevin is providing consultations to individuals throughout the United States. Information provided by email or phone will be kept confidential.