Wegovy weight-loss pills to be available for patients in UK to buy | Weight-loss drugs
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the Wegovy weight-loss pill, the first GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet for weight loss in the UK. This makes the UK the first European country to authorize the semaglutide-based medication, following the US and the United Arab Emirates.
Emil Kongshøj Larsen, executive vice-president for international operations at manufacturer Novo Nordisk, called the decision a “landmark approval.” Larsen stated the company hopes the move will increase access to obesity care across the UK.
Who is eligible for the Wegovy pill?
The MHRA approved the tablets for adults with obesity who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. It is also approved for overweight adults with a BMI between 27 and 30 who have at least one weight-related health condition.
Clinical trials indicated that patients on the highest dose lost between 14% and 17% of their body weight over a 64-week period.
How is the medication administered?
Patients must follow a strict protocol to take the pill. According to the MHRA, the tablet must be taken whole with a sip of water on an empty stomach after fasting for at least eight hours.
Users are required to avoid all food and drink for at least 30 minutes after taking the dose. New patients start at 1.5mg, with doses increasing to 4mg, 9mg, and finally 25mg, spending at least one month at each level.
The MHRA noted that patients already using weekly 2.4mg Wegovy injections privately may be able to switch directly to the 25mg daily tablet if deemed suitable.
Will the Wegovy pill be available on the NHS?
The tablets will not be available on the NHS until they receive approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Eligible patients currently must obtain a private prescription.
Pricing for the pills has not been finalized. For comparison, private prescriptions for Wegovy injections typically cost between £90 and £300 per month, depending on the dose and prescription length.
What are the potential side effects and risks?
Gastrointestinal disorders are the most common side effects, including vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, and nausea. The MHRA advised patients to report any side effects to a doctor, pharmacist, or nurse via the yellow card scheme.
Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, expressed concern regarding a growing black market for counterfeit weight-loss treatments. Picard stated that a tablet form could be easier for criminals to counterfeit than injections.
What happens next for obesity treatment?
Demand for the pill may be high, given that an estimated 2.5 million people in the UK already use weight-loss injections. Jason Murphy, head of pharmacy at Chemist4U, suggested the pill could be “lifechanging” for those uncomfortable with injections.
Naveed Sattar, a professor of cardiometabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, stated that additional treatment options are needed because UK obesity rates are very high and associated with substantial multimorbidity. Expanding these treatments may help people sustainably reduce calorie intake in “obesogenic” environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be prescribed the Wegovy pill?
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.
How should the Wegovy pill be taken?
The pill must be taken whole with water after an eight-hour fast, and the patient must not eat or drink for 30 minutes afterward.
Can I get the Wegovy pill through the NHS?
Not currently. It requires approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) before it can be available via the NHS.
Do you think a daily pill is more convenient than a weekly injection for weight management?