The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced the approval of Wegovy weight-loss pills, making them available for private purchase in the UK. This significant development positions the UK as the first country in Europe to authorise the tablet form of semaglutide for weight management, following its approval in the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Wegovy tablets are now approved for adults diagnosed with obesity, defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher. The approval also extends to individuals who are overweight, with a BMI between 27 and 30, provided they also have at least one weight-related health condition. Clinical trials have indicated that participants on the highest dose of Wegovy tablets experienced a substantial weight reduction, losing between 14% and 17% of their body weight over a 64-week period.
For the time being, Wegovy tablets will only be accessible through a private prescription. This is because the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has not yet assessed and approved the medication for use within the NHS. Consequently, the pricing for private prescriptions is still being determined, though patients may hope for it to be more affordable than the existing injectable form of Wegovy, which typically costs between £90 and £300 per month privately.
Patients commencing treatment will begin with a 1.5mg dose, gradually increasing to 4mg, 9mg, and then 25mg, with a minimum of one month spent at each dosage level. For those already receiving private treatment with the weekly 2.4mg Wegovy injections, a direct transition to the 25mg daily tablets may be possible if deemed suitable by their healthcare provider. The MHRA has stressed the importance of careful administration, requiring patients to take the tablet whole with water on an empty stomach after an eight-hour fast, followed by a further 30-minute period without food or drink.
Professor Naveed Sattar, a cardiometabolic medicine expert at the University of Glasgow, highlighted the importance of expanding effective treatment options in addressing the high rates of obesity and associated health issues in the UK. However, Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, raised concerns about the potential for a growing black market for counterfeit weight-loss treatments, noting that a tablet form could be easier for criminals to replicate. Patients are advised to consult their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse regarding any side effects, which commonly include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomiting, and to report them via the Yellow Card scheme.
This approval represents a significant step in the UK's approach to obesity management, offering a new oral treatment option for eligible individuals. While the immediate availability is restricted to private prescriptions, the long-term implications for broader access and potential NHS adoption will be closely watched.
Source: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Novo Nordisk