Boots has withdrawn its weight loss injection service following a review of the programme. The decision comes as other high street retailers, including ASDA and Superdrug, prepare to offer the drug Wegovy.
Wegovy, a GLP-1 analogue that suppresses appetite, was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) for NHS use and private sale. Boots had initially planned to offer the full prescribing and dispensing service, but has now pulled out.
Superdrug and ASDA Online Doctor still list Wegovy as 'coming soon', while Lloyd's Pharmacy has a registration page for interested customers. The price of the injection has not yet been confirmed and will vary by retailer.
Nice recommends Wegovy for adults with a BMI of at least 35 and one weight-related condition, or a BMI of 30 in some cases. Clinical trials showed an average 12% weight loss after 68 weeks.
Side effects include nausea, heartburn, constipation, headache and fatigue, which typically improve with time and hydration. Patients should see significant weight loss within six months; if not, discontinuation is advised.
