The newly approved Wegovy pill has sparked strong early demand, with initial figures suggesting it could prove more popular than injectable treatments. The oral GLP-1 drug, a tablet form of the once-weekly Wegovy injection, has prompted a rush of patient sign-ups. Online pharmacy Simple Online Healthcare reported receiving more than ten times the number of orders on its first day compared to the launch of the Mounjaro injection in the UK in 2024.
For now, the medication, which can help patients lose up to 17 percent of their body weight, is expected to be available through private providers, including pharmacies like Morrisons, Superdrug, and Boots, as well as online pharmacies. While prices are not yet confirmed, some pharmacists estimate the pill could start at around £99 per month, potentially making it cheaper than injectable versions. If supply holds, the first prescriptions are anticipated to be fulfilled as early as July.
However, with tens of thousands of patients already on waiting lists, concerns have been raised about whether supply can meet demand. Simple Online Healthcare reported a waiting list of approximately 60,000 patients even before the drug's approval for obesity treatment in the UK. Other firms have also reported high demand, with the online retailer Chemist4U stating it has a waiting list of over 10,000 customers.
Early data from providers suggests the Wegovy pill may be attracting a different demographic than injectable weight-loss drugs. According to Simple Online Healthcare, older adults and men, groups historically less inclined to use weight-loss medication, appear to be more strongly represented among those signing up for the pill. Adults in their 60s constitute about 20 percent of pill pre-orders, compared to 13 percent of injection users, while those in their 50s represent the largest share overall at 35 percent. Men make up roughly a quarter of pill users, compared to about one in five for injections.
Abdal Alvi, chief clinical officer at Simple Online Healthcare, indicated that the tablet form could reach patients who were previously reluctant to try injections. He noted that the individuals coming forward in the greatest numbers are those for whom injectable treatment was least likely to be considered. This trend is significant given that obesity rates are highest among older age groups, with NHS data showing around one in three people aged 55 to 74 are obese, yet this group has historically been less likely to seek pharmaceutical treatment. Men have also been less likely to access weight-loss medication despite high obesity levels.
Simple Online Healthcare estimates, based on early data and U.S. trends, that between 120,000 and 130,000 patients could begin using oral GLP-1 treatments within the first few months of launch, with around 100,000 likely to be new patients rather than those switching from injections. These projections remain early estimates.
Previous weight-loss drugs, including injectable Wegovy and Mounjaro, have experienced repeated supply shortages. A further concern is the active ingredient in the Wegovy pill, semaglutide, which mimics a gut hormone to reduce appetite and promote feelings of fullness. The pill requires significantly more of the active drug per dose compared to injections because of how it is absorbed in the gut. Professor David Strain, an obesity expert at the University of Exeter, explained that this increased production requirement could exacerbate existing supply issues if demand for the pill surges. A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk has stated the company is confident in the availability of Wegovy Pills.