Olufunmilayo Akinlolu, a 34-year-old mother of two from London, has become the first person in the UK to access Superdrug's new oral weight loss service, receiving the Wegovy pill in an in-person pharmacy visit. The service, which launched online last week, is described by Superdrug as the cheapest and most comprehensive offering of its kind on the UK high street, with prices starting from £79 for new patients.
From outgoing to isolated
Akinlolu, known as Funmi, said her weight gain after pregnancy drastically changed her life. 'After having my son, I really struggled. I barely left the house. It's not always obvious in photos, but in person I felt so uncomfortable being seen,' she said. The impact extended beyond physical discomfort, affecting her mental health and social life.
'The weight had a ripple effect on everything. I've always been outgoing and bubbly, but I went into my shell. Even getting downstairs became difficult,' she explained. Akinlolu, a content creator, decided to seek help to regain her confidence for herself and her son. 'He wants to go out and play, and I want to be able to do that with him.'
How the service works
Akinlolu completed a full clinical assessment with Superdrug Online Doctor before visiting the Strand branch to collect the medication. Superdrug's oral weight loss service is available both online and in person at more than 160 pharmacies and 85 nurse-led clinics across the UK. Patients must undergo a clinical assessment to determine suitability.
Craig Watt, Pharmacy Director at Superdrug, welcomed the milestone: 'Seeing our first patient access the service in person is a huge step for weight management. Our new oral weight loss service gives patients more choice and flexibility than ever before. At Superdrug, convenience and accessibility are at the heart of what we do.'
Breaking the stigma
Akinlolu advised others considering the service to be honest with themselves. 'Ask yourself: who are you doing this for? There were things I physically couldn't do because of my weight, and I knew I needed help. There's so much taboo around this. It's not laziness. You never know what someone is going through.'
The Wegovy pill, containing semaglutide, is a prescription-only medication for weight management. Superdrug's service includes face-to-face support at pharmacies, and Health & Beautycard holders earn 5x points on their consultation, worth up to £15.
