The UK medicines regulator has approved the Wegovy weight-loss pill for patients who meet certain criteria, allowing them to purchase the drug with a private prescription. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced the decision on Thursday, making the UK the third country to authorise the tablets, after the US and the United Arab Emirates.
Previously, UK patients using Wegovy had to rely on the injectable version. The pill, manufactured by Danish company Novo Nordisk, contains semaglutide and is approved for adults who are obese (BMI of 30 or above) or overweight (BMI of 27-30) with at least one weight-related health condition. Clinical trials showed that those on the highest dose lost 14-17% of their body weight after 64 weeks.
The tablets will not be available on the NHS until they are approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice). Prices have not yet been agreed, but private prescriptions for Wegovy injections typically cost £90-£300 per month. New patients will start on a 1.5mg dose, increasing to 4mg, 9mg, and 25mg, with at least one month at each level. Those already on weekly 2.4mg injections can switch directly to 25mg tablets once daily if suitable.
Patients must take the pills whole with a sip of water on an empty stomach after fasting for at least eight hours, then avoid food or drink for at least 30 minutes. Common side effects include gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomiting. The MHRA advises anyone experiencing side effects to consult their doctor or pharmacist and report them via the yellow card scheme.
Health professionals have welcomed the approval but caution against viewing it as a magic solution. Prof Victoria Tzortziou Brown of the Royal College of GPs emphasised that medication should be part of a broader approach including nutrition, physical activity, and behavioural support. Naveed Sattar, a professor at the University of Glasgow, noted that additional treatment options are greatly needed given high obesity rates in the UK.
