In a significant development for liver disease treatment, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced on 3 July 2026 the conditional approval of a semaglutide injection, known commercially as Wegovy, for adults suffering from metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis. This marks a new potential therapeutic pathway for a condition that previously had limited specific treatment options.
MASH is a progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), where excessive fat accumulation in the liver leads to inflammation and scarring. Individuals with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or elevated blood lipid levels are at a higher risk of developing MASH. The approval is conditional, meaning further data from an ongoing study on its efficacy and safety in this specific patient group will need to be submitted to the MHRA for a full marketing authorisation.
Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, works by mimicking a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite and satiety, making individuals feel fuller for longer and reducing cravings. It is already authorised in the UK for weight management in adults and adolescents, and for reducing cardiovascular events in adults. The treatment involves a once-weekly injection, with the dosage gradually increasing over several weeks under medical supervision.
Despite this MHRA approval, immediate access to semaglutide for MASH patients on the NHS is not yet available. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently undertaking an appraisal to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of semaglutide as a treatment for MASH. Their decision will determine if the medication is recommended for routine use within the NHS, impacting its affordability for many UK households.
Julian Beach, Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access at the MHRA, highlighted that the available evidence indicates semaglutide is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with MASH. He emphasised that, like all GLP-1 receptor agonists, it is a prescription-only medication and must only be taken in consultation with a doctor. The MHRA will continue to review new information on the medicine annually to ensure its ongoing safety and effectiveness.