Serious warning issued as Wegovy pill goes on sale today
The Wegovy pill finally hits British shelves on Monday, but pharmacies have been quick to send a clear warning about those hoping to use the medication.
Weight loss medication has become remarkably popular in the United Kingdom in recent years, with 1.6million Brits now estimated to be using the 'fat jabs.'
GLP-1 medication like Wegovy, as well as Ozempic and Mounjaro, helps suppress a person's appetite and aids them in losing weight.
Though it's crucial to partner exercise and a healthy diet with the medication, and a lot of people have suffered significant side effects, many have seen remarkable body transformations after using it.
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For those people who have always been tempted but put off by the thought of having to regularly inject yourself with needles, a solution is finally here.
After being approved by the Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in June, the Wegovy pill, made by Novo Nordisk, will now be available on prescription in the UK from Monday, 6 July, to eligible patients from some pharmacies.
However, pharmacies are concerned the pills arrival could lead to a flood of fake pills being sold on the black market.
People warned not to take fake weight loss pills
The National Pharmacy Association (APA) has surveyed 310 pharmacies and found that a massive 97 per cent fear an increase in fake weight loss pills being sold after the Wegovy pill's arrival.
Olivier Picard, chairman of the NPA, said: “As this survey shows, pharmacies are concerned about a dangerous and growing black market for weight loss medicines, with tablet form of medication likely to be easier for criminals to counterfeit."
As a result, the NPA has sent a stark warning to people not to be tempted to buy counterfeit pills.
“Patients should be wary of sites offering medicines at a cost that is too good to be true or providers who are not offering consultations before prescribing," Picard added.
“If anyone is concerned by a medicine they have bought online, they should speak to their local pharmacist for advice.
“Weight loss medication is not a silver bullet and won’t be suitable for all patients, but it can help those who are eligible achieve a healthy weight, along with sustained changes to diet and lifestyle.”
Pharmacies 'bracing themselves' for high Wegovy pill demand
The NPA survey also found that 76 per cent of pharmacies are expecting to start a significant number of new patients on the pill in the next few months, with 49 per cent experiencing a surge in queries from people hoping to be prescribed them.
"This is a significant day and pharmacies are bracing themselves for a surge in demand for this new form of weight loss treatment," Picard added.
“This is particularly significant for patients who cannot or do not want to take an injectable medicine.
“The NHS rollout remains extremely slow and community pharmacy is ready to support a wider rollout, which will help eligible patients access treatment safely and help mitigate the impact of obesity on the NHS.”
The tablet is taken orally once a day on an empty stomach and should be swallowed with just a sip of water to help your body absorb it properly. You can store them at room temperature, unlike the jabs that need to be kept in the fridge.
Dosage of the tablet begins at 1.5mg before rising to 4mg, 9mg and 25mg, though patients must be on each dose level for at least a month before moving up to the next stage.
The Wegovy pill has been available in the US since the start of this year after the FDA approved this version in December 2025.
One woman in the States recently revealed she 'quickly started to notice a difference' in her physique after starting the medication, and says she has already lost more than 7kg after two months.
Superdrug Online Doctor is one of the pharmacies providing the pill, with prices starting at £79.
Daniel Murphy