Containing the same active ingredient as Wegovy injections, the new pill promises a needle-free route to clinically proven weight loss for eligible adults
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A pill version of the weight-loss drug Wegovy has been approved in the UK, meaning people can soon buy it with a private prescription.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the once-daily tablet, making it the first oral GLP-1 weight-loss medication of its kind to be approved for use in Britain.
James O’Loan, chief executive of Chemist4U, described the launch of the tablet as “game-changing” for UK patients.
“We’ve already seen record demand ahead of the expected launch of a Wegovy pill in the coming months, with over 10,000 people joining our waiting list for a consultation,” O’Loan said.
“Weight loss pills are a great alternative for people who don’t feel comfortable using injections and many will find that a daily pill feels more familiar and easier to fit into their routine.
“We expect that demand for weight loss pills will only increase as prospective patients become
aware of them in the coming weeks and months.”
However, the pill will not be available on the NHS until experts can assess and decide if it should be recommended.
For now, the medication will only be available through private healthcare providers and pharmacies. Several major high-street retailers, including Boots, Superdrug and Morrisons, are expected to offer access through their pharmacy services, alongside a growing number of licensed online healthcare providers.
Some providers are already preparing to accept prescriptions, with patients potentially able to receive the medication as early as July.
The approval has already sparked intense interest among people seeking medical support for weight loss. Private waiting lists are believed to have surged, with some estimates suggesting close to 100,000 people are already hoping to access the treatment.
The oral medication contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient used in Wegovy injections. It works by mimicking the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, helping to suppress appetite, slow digestion and increase feelings of fullness.
Clinical trials have shown that semaglutide can help people with obesity lose significant amounts of weight when combined with healthy lifestyle changes. Studies suggest some patients can lose up to 17 per cent of their body weight after 64 weeks of treatment.
The cost of Wegovy tablets in the UK has not yet been confirmed. However, when the medication launched in the United States, Novo Nordisk listed the starting 1.5mg dose at approximately $149 (£110) per month. Industry experts expect UK pricing to be competitive and potentially lower than some injectable alternatives.
Under MHRA guidance, the tablets can be prescribed privately to adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, classifying them as obese. They may also be prescribed to adults with a BMI between 27 and 30 if they have at least one weight-related health condition.
The starting dose is 1.5mg taken once daily on an empty stomach. Patients gradually increase their dosage over time, progressing to 4mg, 9mg and eventually 25mg, with at least one month spent at each dose level.
Transition to the new pill
Patients who are already taking the highest approved dose of injectable Wegovy may be able to transition directly to the 25mg tablet under medical supervision.
The arrival of an oral GLP-1 treatment is expected to dramatically expand the market for weight-loss medication. While injectable treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have transformed obesity treatment in recent years, concerns about needles have remained a barrier for many people.
At least 1.6 million adults in the UK are believed to be using weight-loss injections, while a further 3.3 million are reportedly considering treatment.
Polling conducted by digital healthcare provider Numan found that around one in five people interested in weight-loss medication are deterred by a fear of needles. Healthcare experts believe the tablet format could remove that obstacle for many patients.
Based on prescribing trends seen in the United States, estimates suggest more than 120,000 UK adults could begin taking the medication privately within the first three months following its launch.
Dr Tsolmon Tsogbayar, senior clinical product lead at Numan, said: “There are many people who have wanted support with their weight for years but have struggled with the idea of injectable treatment, in some cases avoiding healthcare settings involving needles altogether.
“The arrival of oral GLP-1 medication is hugely significant because it has the potential to make evidence-based obesity treatment accessible to a much wider group of patients who previously felt excluded from the current options available.”
Despite the excitement surrounding the launch, experts stress that the medication is not a quick fix and should be viewed as part of a broader approach to weight management.
Like the injectable version, the tablets can take several months before patients experience their full effects. Medical professionals also warn that some people may regain weight if they stop treatment without maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.
Patients are advised to combine medication with a balanced diet, regular physical activity and ongoing medical support to achieve the best outcomes.
Healthcare professionals have also warned against using GLP-1 medications purely for cosmetic reasons or short-term weight loss goals. Although demand has surged among people seeking rapid results, experts say these treatments are designed for managing obesity and weight-related health conditions rather than helping people achieve a so-called “beach body”.
As with all medications, side effects can occur. The most commonly reported include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting, although many patients find these symptoms improve over time.
The approval comes at a time when obesity remains one of the UK’s biggest public health challenges. Around one-third of UK adults – more than 16 million people – are estimated to be living with obesity, increasing their risk of conditions including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.
Many experts believe the arrival of a tablet version marks the next major step in the evolution of obesity treatment, offering a more accessible option for people who may never have considered injectable medication.
As pharmacies prepare for demand and healthcare providers expand services, the Wegovy pill is expected to become one of the most closely watched healthcare launches of the year.
