A major UK chain has announced it is selling Wegovy weight loss pills in the UK for the first time. The pills, which were approved for use in the UK last month, will be available to those fitting strict criteria.
Making the announcement on Friday Superdrug has said it will become the first UK high street healthcare provider to offer the "cheapest and most comprehensive access" to the new weight loss service. However prospective users will still need to fit the strict criteria and have medical assessments. The pills will be available through Superdrug Online Doctor, with sales now open exclusively on the online service ahead of the launch of in-store services.
It said this "reinforces the chain's commitment to accessibility, and helping eligible patients access its latest weight management service as quickly and as flexibly as possible". Dr Clair Grainger, GP at Superdrug Online Doctor , said “Following regulatory approval, we’ve seen strong interest in our information register.
"With prescribing now underway, people can now complete their consultation and access treatment if clinically appropriate, whether that’s online, in pharmacy, or in clinic. Obesity is a complex medical issue, and any treatment will only be prescribed following a thorough clinical assessment against eligibility criteria.”
Last month the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the UK’s first GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet for weight loss and weight management. It said the semaglutide (Wegovy ) tablet could be prescribed to obese adults in the UK and had to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, but gave no timeframe for when it would be available.
The sale is available at Superdrug Online Doctor. People must complete a full clinical assessment with a prescriber.
The tablet-form of the weight loss service will start from £79 for new patients. Superdrug Health & Beautycard holders will also earn 5x points on their purchases worth up to £15.
The medication is available now by visiting Superdrug Online Doctor website. Alternatively speak to a local Superdrug pharmacy team for more information.
The weight loss service will also be available in more than 160 pharmacies, and over 85 nurse services, combining digital convenience with face-to-face support.
To qualify 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.
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."
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."
