Weight-Loss Wegovy Pill to be Available in UK

A pill version of the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy has been approved in the UK, meaning people can soon buy it with a prescription.

The approval marks the first time a tablet-based GLP-1 weight-loss medication has been cleared by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Developed by Novo Nordisk, the once-a-day tablet offers an alternative to the injectable form of Wegovy, which is currently administered through a weekly injection.

The company says the pill could provide a more convenient option for some patients, particularly those who are uncomfortable with injections.

Unlike the injectable version, the tablets do not require refrigeration and can be taken at home once a day.

Despite receiving regulatory approval, the medication will not be available on the NHS immediately.

The decision on whether the treatment should be offered through the health service will be made following an assessment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

A spokesperson for NICE said the organisation had not yet been approached by Novo Nordisk regarding an appraisal of the treatment. However, it was “in active dialogue” with the company.

Several high street and online pharmacies are expected to add the medication to their doctor-led prescribing services in the coming weeks.

According to the MHRA, patients will begin treatment on a daily dose of 1.5mg before gradually increasing to 4mg, 9mg and 25mg. Each dose level should be maintained for at least one month before progressing to the next stage.

Patients currently receiving private treatment with a weekly 2.4mg semaglutide injection can transition directly to a daily 25mg semaglutide tablet.

The tablets should be taken on an empty stomach.

Wegovy tablets are already available in the United States, while other pharmaceutical companies are developing competing oral weight-loss treatments.

The UK price has not yet been confirmed. However, when the tablets launched in the US, Novo Nordisk listed the starting 1.5mg dose at £110 per month.

Like the injectable version, the tablets contain semaglutide, a medication that mimics the effects of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1.

The hormone helps regulate appetite and slows digestion, allowing people to feel fuller for longer and reduce food intake.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, described the approval as an important development for patients seeking weight-loss treatment.

He called the approval of the pill “significant”, adding that it could help patients who are unable or do not wish to take the injectable version.

Picard also said the introduction of an oral treatment could reduce costs over time.

He added: “Pharmacies are awaiting further guidance about when this treatment will be available for patients.”

Clinical trials have shown the medication is safe and effective.

However, as with injectable GLP-1 treatments, patients may need to take the medication for several months before seeing its full effects. There is also a risk of regaining weight after treatment stops.

Health experts stress that weight-loss medication should be used alongside a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

They also warn that GLP-1 medicines are intended to treat obesity and related health conditions rather than provide short-term or cosmetic weight loss.

Medical professionals have repeatedly advised against using the drugs as a quick solution to become “beach body” ready, despite evidence that some people misuse them.

As with any medication, side effects can occur. Commonly reported reactions include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting.

The approval comes as obesity continues to present a major public health challenge in the UK. Around one-third of adults in the country, more than 16 million people, are estimated to be living with obesity.