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Wegovy weight-loss pills to be available for patients in UK to buy
TL;DR
Wegovy weight-loss pills have been approved for sale in the UK, making it the first European country to do so. The pills are intended for adults with obesity or overweight conditions and will initially require a private prescription.
Key points
- Wegovy weight-loss pills approved in the UK
- First GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet for weight loss
- UK is the first European country to approve Wegovy
- Approved for adults with obesity or overweight conditions
- Private prescriptions required until NHS approval
Mentioned in this story
Novo Nordisk
WegovysemaglutideMHRA
Patients will soon be able to buy the Wegovy weight-loss pill, the medicines regulator announced today.
It is the first GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet for weight-loss to be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), making the UK the third country to authorise the pills, behind the US and the United Arab Emirates.
Emil Kongshøj Larsen, the executive vice-president for international operations at Novo Nordisk, which manufactures the drug, said: “This is a landmark approval, making the UK the first country in Europe to approve Wegovy pill. We hope this approval supports increasing access to obesity care in the UK.”
Wegovy pills, which contain semaglutide, are now approved for adults with obesity who have a BMI of 30 or higher, or those who are overweight – with a BMI of 27-30 – and 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 Wegovy tablets are approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, they will not be available on the NHS and eligible patients wishing to take them will have to obtain a private prescription. Prices have not yet been agreed, but patients will hope they are cheaper than injections. A private prescription for Wegovy injections typically costs £90-£300 a month, depending on the dose and length of prescription.
New patients will start on 1.5mg, with doses increasing to 4mg, 9mg and 25mg, with at least one month at each level. Those already treated privately with weekly 2.4mg Wegovy injections can swap straight to 25mg tablets once daily, if suitable, the MHRA said.
As with the injectable form, Wegovy pills have to be taken carefully. Patients will have to take them whole with a sip of water on an empty stomach after fasting for at least 8 hours. They then need to consume no food or drink for at least 30 minutes.
The most common side effects of Wegovy pills are gastrointestinal disorders including nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting. The MHRA said that anyone experiencing a side effect from the drug should talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the yellow card scheme.
Q&A
What is Wegovy and how does it help with weight loss?
Wegovy is a weight-loss pill containing semaglutide, designed for adults with obesity or overweight conditions, helping them lose significant body weight.
When will Wegovy pills be available on the NHS in the UK?
Wegovy pills will not be available on the NHS until they are approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
How much do Wegovy pills cost for private prescriptions in the UK?
The exact prices for Wegovy pills have not been agreed yet, but private prescriptions for Wegovy injections typically cost between £90 and £300 a month.
What are the eligibility criteria for taking Wegovy pills?
Wegovy pills are approved for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or those with a BMI of 27-30 who have at least one weight-related health condition.
