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2 sources·Started 22d ago·Updated 22d ago
Wegovy weight-loss pill launches in UK private pharmacies
WegovysemaglutideNovo NordiskUKNHSEli LillyMounjaroMegan Rannard
Sources
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BBTG
Coverage
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The once-daily Wegovy weight-loss pill has become available to buy privately from High Street and online pharmacies in the UK, though it is not yet offered on the NHS. The pill contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide, as the Wegovy injection and has been shown to be similarly effective in clinical trials Source: BBC, The Guardian.
Pricing and availability
The pill, manufactured by Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, was approved by the UK medicines regulator on 11 June and began reaching patients on 6 July Source: The Guardian. Prices vary: a starting dose of 1.5mg can cost around £69 per month in a three-month bundle, while the highest 25mg dose can reach £189 per month Source: The Guardian. Compared to Wegovy jabs (£79–£250/month) and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro (£54–£300/month), the pill is competitively priced Source: The Guardian.
Warnings and usage
Authorities warn about counterfeit pills sold online. Megan Rannard of Marks & Clerk cautioned that illegitimate websites pose a risk of selling fake pharmaceuticals or conducting fraud Source: The Guardian. The pill must be taken on an empty stomach after an eight-hour fast, followed by a 30-minute wait before eating or drinking Source: The Guardian. Pharmacists note it offers a needle-free option for those who fear injections or travel frequently Source: BBC, The Guardian. Clinical trials show average weight loss of 14%–17% over 64 weeks, with common side effects including nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting Source: The Guardian.
Sources
8 quotesBBC↗
“The once-a-day Wegovy weight loss pill is now available to buy privately from High Street and online pharmacies in the UK - but is not yet on the NHS.”
The Guardian↗
“A once-a-day Wegovy weight-loss pill has gone on sale at high street and online pharmacies in the UK, but is not yet available on the NHS.”
The Guardian↗
“The pill, which was approved by the UK’s medicines regulator on 11 June, can be prescribed privately to overweight or obese people, subject to a medical consultation, alongside a healthy diet and exercise.”
The Guardian↗
“Megan Rannard at the intellectual property law firm Marks & Clerk said: 'There are a large number of websites that falsely claim to be legitimate online pharmacies...'”
The Guardian↗
“In the UK, the Wegovy pill works out at £2.30 a day through some multi-month treatment plans, according to an online pharmacy.”
The Guardian↗
“The chief clinical officer at Simple Online Pharmacy, Abdal Alvi, said: 'The Wegovy pill is a major development because it gives patients another way to access semaglutide without self-injecting.'”
The Guardian↗
“In clinical trials, people taking the 25mg daily Wegovy pill lost between 14% and 17% of their body weight over 64 weeks, depending on adherence.”
BBC↗
“It contains the same ingredient - semaglutide - as the Wegovy weight loss injections but is still advised to be used alongside a healthy diet and increased physical activity.”