Wegovy pill becomes available in UK

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By Storm Newton, PA

Pharmacies are “bracing themselves” for a surge in patients starting weight loss drugs as the Wegovy pill becomes available.

Pharmacists also warned the new form of semaglutide could lead to a rise in fake or unlicensed weight loss pills being sold on the black market.

The Wegovy tablet, made by Novo Nordisk, became the first GLP-1 pill for weight loss to be approved by the UK’s medicines regulator last month.

The starting dose is 1.5mg, rising to 4mg, 9mg and 25mg – with patients required to be on each dose level for at least a month before going up.

From Monday, the lowest doses – 1.5 mg and 4mg – will be available as part of weight management programmes in some pharmacies to eligible patients.

However, a survey of 310 pharmacies by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) found 76% expect to start a significant number of new eligible patients on the pill in the coming months.