Oral Wegovy, a once-a-day tablet version of the semaglutide injection, is now available in the UK through private prescriptions. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the pill last month, sparking massive demand. Pharmacy Simple Online Healthcare reported that more than 60,000 customers registered their interest in the oral GLP-1 treatment within 24 hours. Superdrug Online Doctor saw a 130% increase in registrations over the same period, and Chemist4U confirmed a waiting list of over 10,000 customers.
First tablet GLP-1 for weight management
The new pill is the first GLP-1 treatment licensed for weight management in tablet form in the UK. It requires no needle and is nearly as effective as injectable versions, with users losing just under 14% of their body weight over 64 weeks on average. Pharmacist Thorrun Govind told Metro: 'For some people, the idea of self-injecting can be a real barrier. A tablet may feel less daunting.' Research commissioned by Simple Online Healthcare found that 61% of people not currently using GLP-1 medications would prefer a daily pill to a weekly injection, and 83.6% of SheMed pharmacy customers expressed interest in learning more about oral GLP-1 pills or switching from injections.
Private prescription only for now
The pills are currently available only through private prescriptions, with prices starting at £99 per month for the lowest dose of 1.5mg—roughly £3 per day. They will only be prescribed on the NHS if approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. With 64.5% of adults aged 18 and over in England estimated to be overweight or living with obesity as of 2024, demand is high. However, pharmacist Thorrun Govind warns of potential issues: 'Obesity is a complex health condition, and these treatments are designed for people who meet specific clinical criteria. The focus should always be on improving health outcomes rather than chasing unrealistic body ideals.'
Body image concerns
Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, previously told Metro that widespread use of weight loss jabs has 'reset the visual benchmark' for what is considered 'skinny'. She noted a TikTok trend where young women call themselves 'skinny fat'—slim but not toned—despite platform bans on certain hashtags. Dr Wylie has seen an uptick in young women unhappy with their appearance despite being fit and healthy, warning that this can spiral into conditions like anorexia nervosa or bulimia. Thorrun Govind hopes the new pill may encourage more clinical approaches to weight management rather than unhealthy methods, but stressed: 'It’s crucial people receive appropriate support alongside medication, including advice on nutrition, physical activity and long-term lifestyle changes.'
How the pill works
The tablet does not need refrigeration like injections. The starting dose is 1.5mg once daily, escalating to 4mg, 9mg, and 25mg with at least one month at each dose. Patients switching from the 2.4mg weekly injection may start directly at 25mg daily. The pill must be taken whole on an empty stomach after a fasting period of at least eight hours, with no food or drink for at least 30 minutes afterward to ensure proper absorption. Side effects are similar to injectable versions, including nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomiting, particularly when starting treatment.
Black market risks
A second major concern is the potential for counterfeit pills. Over the last five years, 57 million doses of unauthorised medication have been confiscated by government agencies, according to MHRA figures obtained by the BBC. Thorrun Govind said: 'I’m concerned the pill form will make it even easier for counterfeiters who prey on vulnerable people. It’s harder for them to make an injection look the same, but it’s going to be much easier to make pills which look like the real drug.'
