Who is eligible for Wegovy pill as new weight-loss medication available in the UK from today
The popularity of GLP-1 medication is soaring in the UK, but many people have been squeamish at the thought of injecting themselves with a pen - but there is now a pill form.
Wegovy is the first GLP-1 weight-loss medication to be released in the UK as a semaglutide pill, rather than an injectable 'pen'.
There has been a lot of excitement from people who are phobic of needles who wanted to try the medication, which was originally created for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.
It wasn't long before people started noticing the weight loss benefits, as a whole host of celebrities have been showing off their new, slimline figures thanks to the likes of Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro jabs.
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It's estimated that 1.6million British adults currently take the 'fat jabs'.
Before you go racing to your GP or pharmacy though, it's important to check who is eligible for them, plus the side effects and risks.
Who is eligible for Wegovy pills?
According to a press release from makers of the pills, Novo Nordisk, they can now be prescribed for 'eligible UK adults living with obesity or overweight with a weight-related condition' and they will be prescribed alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
This includes people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above, or who are overweight with a BMI between 27 and 30 in addition to at least one weight-related comorbidity.
The starting dose will be 1.5 mg daily, increasing monthly up to 25 mg.
Initial doses (1.5mg, 4mg) are now in the UK, with higher doses (9mg, 25mg) becoming available in the coming weeks.
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.
They can then be stored at room temperature, unlike the jabs that need to be kept in the fridge.
What are the side effects of Wegovy pills?
The most common side effects include gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting.
As with any medicine, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will keep the safety and effectiveness of semaglutide under close review.
Pharmacists also fear there will be a boom in black market pills.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has surveyed 310 pharmacies, and a huge 97 per cent worry about 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."
They warn that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is: “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.”
Where to buy Wegovy pills from?
That said, if you want to be sure you're buying the real thing, to start with, access to the pill is through regulated private providers.
It is being introduced through a planned UK rollout to ensure consistent supply across the market.
It has been previously reported that one private provider has already got a waiting list of 55,000 people, and it is predicted that 'more than 100,000 new patients' could be put onto 'obesity treatment within months of launch.'
The pill is not being supplied through the NHS, the same way the jabs weren't initially.
Adam Burt, Senior Director, Private Obesity at Novo Nordisk, said: “The scale of the unmet need in the UK is clear. Obesity is a chronic disease currently affecting at least 16 million people across its nations. With rates continuing to rise year on year, and obesity’s significant impact on both individuals and the wider health system, the availability of Wegovy® pill offers another option through regulated private providers to support eligible patients as part of long-term weight management.”
Dr Earim Chaudry, Chief Medical Officer at independent pharmacy Voy, said that 'some people may be suited to an oral option as part of their daily routine rather than self-injecting.'
He added: “With access now becoming available in the UK through regulated private providers, the oral pill marks a significant development for eligible adults and healthcare professionals considering evidence-based options for chronic weight management. It is also a significant milestone for obesity care more broadly, as we continue working collectively to improve access to appropriate treatment options for people living with obesity."
How much will the Wegovy pills cost?
When it's sold privately in the US, it costs around $139 (£104) per month, or about £5 a day, compared with approximately $199 (£149) for injectable versions.
Initial pricing has started to appear in the UK, starting from an average of £99 a month for the lowest 1.5mg dose, up to £229 a month for the 25mg dose.
Jen Thomas