Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription-only weight management medicine available through Lloyds Pharmacy's private prescription service, with costs typically ranging from £150 to £200 per month for maintenance doses. This represents a significant financial commitment, as treatment requires ongoing monthly prescriptions for continued effectiveness. Whilst NHS provision exists under strict eligibility criteria through specialist weight management services, most patients access Wegovy privately due to limited NHS commissioning. Understanding the costs, eligibility requirements, and alternative options is essential for anyone considering this treatment for obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities.

Wegovy Pricing at Lloyds Pharmacy

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription-only medicine licensed for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. At Lloyds Pharmacy, Wegovy is available through their private prescription service, with costs varying depending on the dosage strength and treatment phase.

Private prescription costs at Lloyds Pharmacy and other providers typically range from approximately £150 to £200 per month for the maintenance dose, though prices vary by provider and over time. The treatment follows a dose-escalation schedule over 16 weeks, starting with lower doses (0.25 mg weekly) and gradually increasing through 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly (or 1.7 mg if 2.4 mg is not tolerated). Initial starter packs may be priced differently from maintenance doses.

Patients should note that Wegovy requires ongoing monthly prescriptions for continued effectiveness, making it a significant financial commitment. Weight management services typically include consultations with prescribers to assess eligibility, review medical history, and monitor treatment progress, which may incur additional fees.

Supply considerations are important, as Wegovy has experienced intermittent availability issues in the UK since its launch. Providers may have limited stock availability at times, according to NHS England and manufacturer updates. It is advisable to check the provider's official website for current pricing and availability information, as these can change. The total annual cost of private Wegovy treatment typically exceeds £2,000, excluding consultation fees and any additional monitoring requirements.

NHS vs Private Prescription Costs for Wegovy

The cost difference between NHS and private prescriptions for Wegovy is substantial and represents a critical consideration for patients seeking this treatment. NHS prescriptions for Wegovy, where available, are subject to standard prescription charges in England (currently £9.65 per item, or free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). However, access through the NHS is severely restricted due to NICE guidance and limited commissioning.

NICE recommended Wegovy in March 2023 (TA875) for specialist weight management services within the NHS, but with strict eligibility criteria and for a maximum treatment duration of 2 years. Currently, NHS provision is limited to specialist tier 3 and tier 4 weight management services, with priority given to those with the highest clinical need. Most patients cannot access Wegovy through their GP, and waiting lists for specialist services can be lengthy in many areas.

Private prescription routes offer faster access but at considerably higher cost. Through private providers, patients pay the full medication cost plus consultation fees. Over a typical 12-month treatment course, private costs can reach £2,000–£2,500, compared to approximately £115–£230 annually for NHS prescription charges (if eligible).

Some patients may qualify for prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) if obtaining NHS prescriptions, reducing annual costs to £108.10 for unlimited prescriptions (as of April 2023). However, this only applies if Wegovy is prescribed through NHS services. Private health insurance rarely covers weight management medications, though some policies may cover associated consultations. Patients should verify coverage with their insurer before commencing treatment. The financial disparity between NHS and private access creates significant health inequalities, with treatment largely accessible only to those who can afford private costs.

Eligibility Criteria for Wegovy Treatment

Wegovy is not suitable for everyone seeking weight loss, and both NHS and private providers must adhere to MHRA licensing criteria and clinical guidelines when prescribing. The medication is licensed for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater (obesity), or 27 kg/m² or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, or cardiovascular disease. For people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or African-Caribbean family origin, NICE recommends using lower BMI thresholds (reduced by 2.5 kg/m²).

NICE guidance for NHS provision is more restrictive, recommending Wegovy only for people with:

• BMI of 35 kg/m² or greater, or

• BMI of 30–34.9 kg/m² with at least one weight-related comorbidity, and

• Participation in a specialist weight management service

• For a maximum treatment duration of 2 years

Additionally, clinicians should consider discontinuing treatment if patients do not achieve adequate weight loss, following local protocols and clinical judgement. Private providers may follow the broader MHRA licensing criteria but should still conduct thorough medical assessments.

Contraindications and precautions must be carefully evaluated. According to the UK SmPC, Wegovy is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any excipients, and should not be used during pregnancy. Important warnings include risk of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, hypoglycaemia (in diabetes), diabetic retinopathy complications (in diabetes), increased heart rate, and dehydration potentially leading to acute kidney injury. Wegovy is not recommended during breastfeeding or in combination with other GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Patients must also demonstrate commitment to lifestyle modification, including dietary changes and increased physical activity, as Wegovy is intended as an adjunct to, not replacement for, behavioural interventions. Prescribers will assess motivation, previous weight loss attempts, and ability to adhere to treatment. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception, discontinuing treatment at least 2 months before planned conception. Patients should report any suspected side effects via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme (yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk).

Alternative Weight Management Options and Costs

For patients unable to access or afford Wegovy, several alternative weight management options exist with varying costs and evidence bases. Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) is the most established alternative medication, available both on NHS prescription and over-the-counter. Orlistat costs approximately £20–£50 monthly privately, or standard NHS prescription charges where eligible. It works by reducing dietary fat absorption but requires strict adherence to a low-fat diet and is associated with gastrointestinal side effects. NICE recommends orlistat for adults with BMI ≥28 kg/m² with risk factors, or ≥30 kg/m² alone.

Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg) is another GLP-1 receptor agonist similar to Wegovy but requires daily injections rather than weekly. Private costs are comparable to Wegovy, though it may be less effective for weight loss. Saxenda has limited NHS availability according to NICE TA664, with specific eligibility criteria and local commissioning variations.

NHS-funded behavioural interventions represent the most cost-effective approach and should be the foundation of any weight management strategy. These include:

• Tier 2 services: Community-based programmes (often free) providing dietary advice, physical activity support, and behavioural counselling

• Tier 3 services: Specialist multidisciplinary weight management clinics for complex obesity

• Digital weight management programmes: NHS-approved apps and online services, many available at no cost

Commercial programmes like Weight Watchers (WW) or Slimming World provide structured support with good evidence for modest weight loss. Some NHS areas commission places on these programmes.

Bariatric surgery remains the most effective intervention for severe obesity (BMI ≥40, or ≥35 with comorbidities) and is available through the NHS following specialist assessment. NICE guidance (CG189) recommends considering surgery at lower BMI thresholds (≥30) for people with recent-onset type 2 diabetes, with ethnicity-specific adjustments. Private surgery costs vary considerably. Patients should discuss all options with their GP to determine the most appropriate, evidence-based, and affordable approach for their individual circumstances, recognising that sustainable weight management typically requires long-term lifestyle modification regardless of whether medication is used.

Frequently Asked Questions