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This paper explores the implications of the availability of Wegovy, an oral semaglutide pill, for weight management in the UK.

July 10, 2026Open Access

Wegovy weight loss pill now available to UK patients—how will it affect doctors?

GIGareth IacobucciBMJ Group (United Kingdom)

Key Points

This paper explores the implications of the availability of Wegovy, an oral semaglutide pill, for weight management in the UK.
Describes the approval process by the MHRA for the oral semaglutide pill.
Outlines the dosage regimen for the new oral form of semaglutide.
Explains the criteria for patient eligibility based on BMI and comorbidities.
The oral semaglutide pill is available for purchase from pharmacies and online, pending NHS evaluation.
Patients with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27-30 with comorbidities, can access the pill alongside dietary changes and physical activity.
Eligible patients can transition from injectable semaglutide to the oral tablets.

Abstract

Wegovy weight loss pill now available to UK patients-how will it affect doctors? Gareth IacobucciUK patients can now buy the daily pill version of semaglutide (Wegovy) for weight loss. How can patients get the pill?The pill is available privately for patients to buy from high street pharmacies and online chemists.It is not yet accessible on the NHS as it first needs to be evaluated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for cost effectiveness.The oral form of semaglutide is the first glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist pill to be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for weight loss and weight management in the UK. 1 Until now, the drug, manufactured by Danish pharma company Novo Nordisk, has been available only in injectable form in the UK for weight loss.However, oral semaglutide is already approved in the UK for treating type 2 diabetes under the brand name Rybelsus. 2 The MHRA has authorised the semaglutide tablet to treat adults in the UK with obesity who have a BMI ≥30, or those who are overweight with a BMI of 27-30 and have at least one weight related comorbidity-alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. How does the pill work, and how do patients take it?As with its injectable form, the pill works by suppressing appetite by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which is released after eating.The starting dose for the tablet is 1.5 mg once daily, rising to 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg, with a minimum duration of one month at each dose level.However, the MHRA also said patients currently being treated privately with a once weekly 2.4 mg semaglutide injection can be transitioned straight to once daily 25 mg semaglutide tablets.

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