Key facts
- Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy has received UK approval in a daily tablet form.
- This marks the first GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet for weight loss approved by the MHRA.
- The UK is the third country to authorize the pill, following the US and UAE.
- Wegovy tablets will be available via private prescription within weeks.
- NHS availability is pending assessment by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a daily tablet version of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy, marking a significant step in expanding access to obesity care. This approval makes the UK the third country globally, and the first in Europe, to authorize the pill form of the GLP-1 receptor agonist, which mimics appetite-suppressing hormones.
Wegovy pills, containing semaglutide, are indicated for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or those overweight (BMI 27-30) with at least one weight-related health condition. Clinical trials demonstrated substantial weight loss, with the highest dose leading to a 14-17% reduction in body weight over 64 weeks. Novo Nordisk anticipates the pill will offer greater convenience than the weekly injectable form.
However, the drug will not be immediately available on the National Health Service (NHS). Its inclusion on the NHS depends on an assessment by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). In the interim, eligible patients will be able to obtain the medication through private prescriptions from pharmacies, with prices yet to be confirmed but hoped to be lower than the injectable version's typical £90-£300 monthly cost.
The dosage regimen starts at 1.5mg daily, escalating to a maximum of 25mg, with a minimum of one month at each level. Patients already on the weekly 2.4mg injectable can transition to the 25mg daily tablet. Common side effects include gastrointestinal issues like nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. Health experts stress that Wegovy is intended as part of a comprehensive weight management plan, including diet and exercise, and warn against misuse.