The UK medicines regulator has approved the Wegovy weight-loss pill, making it the first GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet for weight loss available in the country. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced the decision on Thursday, with the UK becoming the third nation to authorise the pills, following the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
Previously, UK patients using the drug had to rely on injectable versions. The pills, manufactured by Danish company Novo Nordisk, contain semaglutide and are approved for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above (obese) or 27-30 (overweight) 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.
Until the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) approves the tablets, they will not be available on the NHS. Eligible patients will need a private prescription. Prices are yet to be 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.
The pills must be taken whole with a sip of water on an empty stomach after fasting for at least eight hours, followed by no 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 and report them via the yellow card scheme.
Health professionals have welcomed the approval but caution against viewing the medication as a magic solution. Prof Victoria Tzortziou Brown of the Royal College of GPs emphasised that weight-loss 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 expanding effective treatments is crucial given the UK's high obesity rates.
