New Wegovy hope as diet pill backed for UK - who qualifies and how to get it

New Wegovy hope as diet pill backed for UK - who qualifies and how to get it Health chiefs have given the go-ahead for a tablet form of the weight loss drug to be used in the UK - full details of who can get it, how and when it will be available Health chiefs have approved a tablet version of a popular weight loss jab for use in the United Kingdom. In an announcement on Thursday the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the UK’s first GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet for weight loss and weight management. The semaglutide (Wegovy) tablet may now be prescribed to adults in the UK with obesity to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. However there are strict rules around who qualifies for the drug and how they can get it. Who qualifies for the tablet To be eligible for the Wegovy tablet a patient must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above. Alternatively they can be overweight with a BMI between 27 and 30 and at least one weight-related comorbidity. The starting dose for the semaglutide tablet is 1.5 mg once daily, increasing to 4 mg, 9 mg and 25 mg with a minimum duration of one month at each dose level. Patients currently treated privately with a 2.4 mg semaglutide injection once weekly can be transitioned straight to semaglutide 25 mg tablets once daily. How does it work The MHRA explained: "Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It works by mimicking the action of a naturally occurring hormone, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), which is released by the body after eating. "Semaglutide acts on areas of the brain that regulate appetite, helping people feel fuller for longer, reducing hunger and decreasing food cravings. As a result, it can help people eat less and support weight reduction alongside appropriate diet and lifestyle measures." The MHRA stressed it was essential to follow the instructions in the Patient Information Leaflet on how to take semaglutide tablets for weight loss and weight management treatment to be most effective. It said: "The semaglutide tablet should be taken whole on an empty stomach after fasting for at least 8 hours with a sip of water. After taking it, no food or drink should be taken for at least thirty minutes. Eating or drinking less than 30 minutes after taking a semaglutide tablet lowers its absorption." How to get it Announcing the decision to approve the drug on Thursday, Julian Beach, Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access at the MHRA, said: “As with all GLP-1 receptor agonists, this is a prescription-only medication.” However people will not be able to get it on the NHS at present. The MHRA said: "Whilst this tablet is approved for use in the UK, it is not available currently via the NHS. As with all new treatments, decisions on NHS use will follow established processes, including an evaluation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)." This means people will be able to access it through private services which they will have to pay for. What are the side effects? The MHRA said: "The most common side effects of the medicine are gastrointestinal disorders including nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting." It said that, as with any medicine, it will keep the safety and effectiveness of semaglutide under close review. It added: "Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine should talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through the website or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card." Will the pills replace weight loss jabs? Experts say there could still be reasons people will prefer the injections. Suhail Jamil, Superintendent Pharmacist at Ashcroft Pharmacy, said: “Many are assuming that the tablet will be the most convenient option, but that won’t necessarily be the case. "We expect the Wegovy Pill to be extremely popular, particularly for those with fears of needles, but there are several reasons why some might still prefer the injectables. The Wegovy injectables may be considered less of a commitment, having to only administer them once weekly, instead of every day. "The tablet also calls for more planning and sticking to a strict schedule. For people with varying routines, such as those working shifts, or who are likely to forget, sticking to the tablet’s requirements may prove difficult. "The tablet will likely encourage more people to start weight loss treatment, rather than hugely encouraging those already on the jabs to make the switch. Ultimately, though, the best option will depend on an individual's lifestyle and preferences rather than simply whether it's a pill or an injection.” How much will they cost? Mr Jamil said as yet no price has been set. The expert added: "No official price for Wegovy tablets has been announced in the UK. In the US, they cost $149–$299 (£111-£222) per month, with insurance or savings offers reducing this to as little as $25 (£18). Oral Wegovy is generally cheaper than the injection and other GLP-1 medications. When will they be available? Mr Jamil said: "This timeframe of the Wegovy tablet’s UK release is unconfirmed, but following its FDA approval in December 2025, it became available in US pharmacies in January 2026. It's important to avoid purchasing the ‘Wegovy Pill’ from any sources before it's fully approved in the UK. Any patients considering weight loss drugs should consult their doctor."