The first oral version of the GLP-1 weight-loss drug Wegovy has launched in the United Kingdom, triggering a competitive race among healthcare providers to attract customers. Some online pharmacies are offering the initial month of treatment for as little as £60 as they vie for market share.
Pharmacy bosses report unprecedented demand for the once-daily tablets, which are designed to help patients lose approximately 17% of their body weight over 64 weeks. The medication is available to adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or a BMI between 27 and 30 if they have a weight-related health condition. While approved by regulators last month, Wegovy is not yet available through the National Health Service (NHS) and is currently offered only by private providers.
Thousands of Britons have already placed orders since the drug's official release. ASDA pharmacy alone has received over 7,000 orders. The introduction of a daily pill is generating significant interest, particularly as an alternative to the weekly weight-loss injections currently used by an estimated 2.5 million people in the UK.
To capture early demand, several providers have introduced discounted introductory offers. MedExpress, for example, is selling the lowest dose (1.5mg) for £59.99 for the first month, with prices for higher doses and subsequent months ranging from £79 to £199. Numan offers the pill starting at £66 for the first month with a 12-month commitment, while SheMed has introductory pricing from £69 for the first month.
Manufacturer Novo Nordisk guides medical professionals to start patients on the 1.5mg dose and gradually increase it every 30 days to the maximum 25mg dose. This titration schedule aims to help the body adjust to the medication and minimize side effects. Patients previously on Wegovy injections may be eligible to switch to the tablets, with dose adjustments based on their injection regimen, provided they wait one week after their last injection.
In comparison, the lowest dose of the weekly Wegovy injection typically costs between £80 and £140 per month in the UK. Several online pharmacies, including Pharmacy2U and Second Nature, are also providing introductory deals for the pill, with initial prices ranging from £69.99 to £74.
High-street pharmacies are also participating in the market. Boots Online Doctor offers the 1.5mg dose for £79 for new customers, with standard prices starting at £99. This service will expand to 62 Boots pharmacies across the UK by July 12. Superdrug Online Doctor is offering similar introductory pricing, with standard rates for the highest doses at £169 and £229.
Supermarket pharmacies are also entering the competition. Tesco Pharmacy's standard prices begin at £90 for the 1.5mg dose, increasing to £155 for the highest strength. Morrisons Clinic offers an introductory price of £89 for the first month, with standard pricing at £119. Asda Online Doctor prices start at £98.97 for the lowest dose.
The Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as the injection. Semaglutide functions by mimicking a hormone released in the gut after eating, which helps to reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness. While effective, the pill appears to be slightly less potent than the injections, which have demonstrated weight loss of up to 20.7%.