New daily Wegovy pill goes on sale today: Full list of UK prices as pharmacies launch weight-loss tablet

Thousands of Britons are set to be prescribed the new Wegovy pill from today as it officially launches in the UK.

Pharmacies can now begin dispensing the treatment – a once-daily tablet version of the hugely popular Wegovy weight-loss jab – to patients with private prescriptions.

Adults with a body mass index of more than 30, which is classed as obese, are among those eligible for the medication.

It can also be prescribed to people with a BMI between 27 and 30 if they have a weight-related health condition.

The pill was approved for use in the UK last month by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, although approval does not mean it will automatically be available on the NHS.

It is understood that Wegovy manufacturer Novo Nordisk will meet with the Government to discuss a possible rollout through GP surgeries, with the cost of the drug thought to be the main sticking point.

Patients who sought weight-loss support through private doctors and online pharmacies are expected to receive their first batches imminently, having pre-ordered the medication after it was given the green light by regulators.

Those who meet the criteria can also begin requesting it from pharmacies and online healthcare providers from today.

Thousands of Britons will be be prescribed the new Wegovy Pill today as it officially launches in the UK

Some providers are offering the first month for as little as £46, although prices rise as the dose increases.

Boots, Britain’s largest pharmacy chain, is selling the medication online from today and will make it available in stores from next week.

New customers will pay from £79 for a 30-day supply of the introductory 1.5mg dose, while existing customers will pay £99.

The treatment is available through Boots Online Doctor, with patients required to complete a clinical assessment before it can be prescribed.

From July 12, the pill will also be available through Boots’ in-store weight-loss service, which is currently offered in 62 pharmacies across the UK, with a further 25 locations due to launch.

At Boots, a 30-day pack of 4mg tablets costs £119, while the 9mg dose is priced at £149. The highest 25mg dose costs £229 a month.

According to manufacturer Novo Nordisk, healthcare professionals will start patients on the 1.5mg dose before increasing it every 30 days until they reach the maximum 25mg dose.

The gradual increase is designed to help the body adjust to the medication and reduce side effects.

Patients already taking 0.5mg or 1mg Wegovy injections may be able to switch to the 9mg tablets, while those using the 1.7mg, 2.4mg or 7.2mg injections may be moved to the 25mg tablets, if medically approved.

Anyone switching from injections will need to wait one week after their final jab before starting the tablets.

Superdrug is also offering the pill, with the 1.5mg and 4mg doses available from launch. The 9mg and 25mg strengths are expected to follow shortly.

A month’s supply of the 4mg tablets costs £99 for new customers and £119 for existing patients.

The 9mg dose will cost £149 and £169 respectively, while the highest 25mg dose will be priced at £209 for new customers and £229 for existing patients.

Patients requesting the treatment through Superdrug must complete an online questionnaire covering details such as their height, weight, ethnicity and medical history.

Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor is also offering the drug, charging £109.99 for the 1.5mg dose and £119.99 for 4mg.

The 9mg and 25mg strengths will be available soon, although prices have not yet been confirmed.

Supermarket pharmacies are also joining the rollout.

Asda Online Doctor is charging £98.97 for the 1.5mg dose and £118.97 for the 4mg dose, with the 9mg and 25mg strengths due to launch soon. These will cost £128.97 and £188.97 respectively.

Morrisons Clinic is charging £119 for the 1.5mg dose and £139 for the 4mg tablets.

The drug is expected to be in high demand among patients who want access to weight-loss medication but have been put off by the thought of injections.

It may also prove more convenient than the jabs because it does not need to be refrigerated.

A host of online healthcare providers are also launching the pill, including Numan, which is offering the first month for £46.20.

Without the introductory offer, Numan’s prices are £129 for 1.5mg, £159 for 4mg, £199 for 9mg and £249 for 25mg.

Women’s healthcare provider SheMed is offering a month’s supply from £69.

Most online providers are offering introductory discounts for the first month, but ongoing supply will depend on the dose, with the strongest 25mg tablets costing up to £269 a month thereafter.

Trial results for the new pill found that patients lost around 17 per cent of their body weight after 64 weeks on the highest 25mg dose.

That means it appears to be slightly less effective than the injections, which have been shown to trigger weight loss of up to 20.7 per cent.

Around 2.5million adults in the UK are thought to be using weight-loss jabs, but the arrival of the new pill opens the door to a potentially more appealing option for people tackling obesity.

The tablet contains the same active ingredient as the injection, semaglutide, which mimics a hormone released in the gut after eating.

This helps reduce hunger and makes patients feel fuller for longer.