Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a prescription-only medicine licensed for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related conditions. The cost of Wegovy in the UK varies considerably depending on whether you access it through the NHS or via private prescription. Private treatment typically costs £150–£300 per month, whilst NHS provision—where available—may be subject to standard prescription charges or provided free in some UK nations. Understanding the pricing structure, eligibility criteria, and factors affecting cost is essential for patients considering this treatment option.

How Much Does Wegovy Cost in the UK?

Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a prescription-only medicine licensed for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related health conditions. The cost of Wegovy in the UK varies significantly depending on whether it is obtained through the NHS or via private prescription.

Private prescription costs typically range from £150 to £300 per month, depending on the pharmacy, dosage strength, and whether you are purchasing a single pen or a multi-month supply. The treatment involves a gradual dose escalation over 16–20 weeks, starting at 0.25 mg weekly and increasing to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly. This means initial costs may be lower during the titration phase, as lower-dose pens are sometimes priced differently.

For those eligible for NHS treatment, Wegovy is provided within specialist weight management services. In England, this may be subject to the standard prescription charge (currently £9.90 per item as of 2024), though supply is often via hospital or homecare pathways which may have different charging arrangements. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free. Importantly, NICE guidance (TA875) limits NHS-funded treatment to a maximum of 2 years.

Supply issues have occasionally affected availability in the UK, which can influence pricing and access through both NHS and private routes. Patients should consider that while the SmPC supports ongoing use when clinically appropriate, NHS funding is time-limited. It's advisable to discuss costs transparently with your prescriber and pharmacy before commencing treatment.

NHS Availability and Prescription Criteria for Wegovy

Wegovy became available on the NHS in England from September 2023, following NICE guidance (TA875) recommending its use within specialist weight management services. However, access is highly restricted due to limited NHS capacity and strict eligibility criteria.

To qualify for NHS-funded Wegovy, adults must meet the following conditions:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m² or above (or ≥32.5 kg/m² for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean family backgrounds, who are at equivalent risk at lower BMI thresholds)

• Have at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea, or cardiovascular disease

• Be treated within a specialist weight management service

NICE guidance specifies that NHS-funded treatment is limited to a maximum of 2 years. The typical pathway involves GP referral to a specialist weight management service, where treatment may be initiated and monitored according to local protocols. Continuation and stopping rules are determined by specialist service guidelines rather than a universal threshold.

Due to high demand and limited specialist service capacity, many eligible patients face long waiting times or are unable to access NHS-funded treatment. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, local health boards determine availability, and access may differ from England. Patients who do not meet these criteria, or who cannot access specialist services, may consider private prescription routes if clinically appropriate.

Private Prescription Costs and Where to Buy Wegovy

For patients who do not meet NHS criteria or prefer faster access, Wegovy is available through private prescription from registered UK healthcare providers. Private costs are significantly higher than NHS prescription charges, and patients should budget for ongoing monthly expenses.

Typical private costs include:

• Consultation fees: £50–£150 for initial assessment (some online services include this in package pricing)

• Medication cost: £150–£300 per month, depending on dose and supplier

• Follow-up appointments: £30–£100 per consultation (usually required monthly or quarterly)

Wegovy can be obtained privately through several routes:

Registered online pharmacies and telehealth services offer remote consultations and home delivery. These services typically require completion of a medical questionnaire and may include video consultations with prescribers.

Private GP clinics and weight management specialists can prescribe Wegovy following face-to-face assessment. This route may be preferable for patients with complex medical histories or those requiring more personalised monitoring.

High street pharmacies with private prescription services may dispense Wegovy if you have a valid private prescription from a UK-registered prescriber.

Important safety considerations: Only obtain Wegovy from legitimate, UK-regulated sources. The MHRA has warned about counterfeit semaglutide products sold online. Verify that any online pharmacy displays the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration and distance-selling logo, and that the prescribing service is Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered (in England). Never purchase prescription medicines from unregulated websites or social media sellers, as these may contain harmful substances or incorrect doses.

Factors That Affect the Price of Wegovy

Several factors influence the cost of Wegovy for individual patients, creating variation in overall treatment expenses.

Dosage and treatment phase: Wegovy requires dose escalation over 16–20 weeks. The starting dose (0.25 mg) is lower than the maintenance dose (2.4 mg), and some suppliers price lower-dose pens differently. However, most private providers charge a flat monthly rate regardless of dose.

Supplier and service model: Prices vary between providers. Online telehealth platforms may offer competitive pricing due to lower overheads, whilst private clinics with face-to-face consultations typically charge more. Some services offer subscription models with bundled consultations and medication, which may provide better value than pay-as-you-go arrangements, though pricing models vary widely and patients should confirm total monthly costs.

Supply and demand: Wegovy has experienced global supply constraints since its launch, affecting UK availability. When supply is limited, prices may increase, and some pharmacies implement waiting lists. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer, has been scaling up production, but intermittent shortages may continue.

Prescription vs. over-the-counter status: Wegovy remains prescription-only in the UK, meaning all legitimate purchases require prescriber involvement. This adds consultation costs to the medication price. There is no official over-the-counter version available.

Insurance coverage: Most private medical insurance policies in the UK do not cover weight management medications, including Wegovy, as these are typically classified as lifestyle treatments rather than essential medical care. Patients should check their specific policy terms.

Bulk purchasing and payment plans: Some private providers offer discounts for purchasing multiple months upfront or provide payment plans to spread costs. However, patients should ensure they can tolerate the medication before committing to large advance payments.

Is Wegovy Worth the Cost? Effectiveness and Alternatives

Determining whether Wegovy represents good value requires weighing its clinical effectiveness against cost and considering alternative approaches to weight management.

Clinical effectiveness: Wegovy has demonstrated significant weight loss in clinical trials. The STEP trial programme showed that patients lost an average of 12–15% of their body weight over 68 weeks when combined with lifestyle interventions, compared to 2–3% with placebo. Improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure and cholesterol, were also observed. The SELECT trial demonstrated a reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in people with established cardiovascular disease.

Mechanism of action: Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that works by increasing satiety, reducing appetite, and slowing gastric emptying. This makes it easier for patients to adhere to reduced-calorie diets. However, weight regain commonly occurs if treatment is discontinued without maintained lifestyle changes.

Common adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal pain, particularly during dose escalation. Most gastrointestinal symptoms improve over time. Rare but serious risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder disease. The SmPC contains a precaution about thyroid C-cell tumours observed in animal studies, though there is no confirmed link in humans. Wegovy is contraindicated in pregnancy and should be discontinued at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. People with type 2 diabetes, particularly those on insulin, should be monitored for diabetic retinopathy. Wegovy should not be used concurrently with other GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Alternatives to consider:

• Lifestyle interventions: Evidence-based weight management programmes combining dietary modification, physical activity, and behavioural support remain the foundation of treatment and cost significantly less

• Other medications: Orlistat (available over-the-counter or on prescription) costs £20–£50 monthly but has more modest efficacy (3–5% weight loss). Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg), another GLP-1 agonist, costs similarly to Wegovy but requires daily injections

• Bariatric surgery: For patients with BMI ≥40 kg/m² (or ≥35 kg/m² with comorbidities), surgery may be more cost-effective long-term and is available via NHS referral

When to contact your healthcare provider: Patients should seek medical advice if they experience severe or persistent abdominal pain, signs of pancreatitis, symptoms of gallstones, or are unable to tolerate the medication. Regular monitoring of weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and consideration of renal function (especially during significant gastrointestinal side effects) is recommended throughout treatment.

If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Frequently Asked Questions