MediHealth Direct offers Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) as part of a private weight management service, with monthly costs typically ranging from £199 to £299. This GLP-1 receptor agonist is licensed for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. Pricing reflects the dose-escalation protocol, clinical consultations, and ongoing monitoring requirements. Understanding the costs, eligibility criteria, and access pathways—including comparisons with NHS provision—is essential for patients considering this treatment option. This article examines MediHealth Direct's Wegovy pricing structure, access procedures, and key clinical considerations.

Wegovy Pricing at MediHealth Direct

MediHealth Direct offers Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) as part of their private weight management service, with pricing structured to reflect the medication's dosing schedule and clinical requirements. The cost typically ranges from £199 to £299 per month, though these are indicative prices that may vary. Initial consultations with prescribing clinicians are usually included in the first month's fee, whilst follow-up appointments may incur additional charges or be bundled into monthly subscription packages.

The pricing structure at MediHealth Direct generally follows a dose-escalation protocol aligned with the manufacturer's recommendations. Patients begin with lower doses (0.25 mg weekly) and gradually increase over 16–20 weeks to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly. Some patients may remain on 1.7 mg if the 2.4 mg dose is not tolerated, with re-escalation attempts as clinically appropriate. Early treatment phases may be priced lower due to smaller dose requirements, with costs increasing as patients progress to higher strengths. These prices reflect private healthcare costs and do not include potential additional expenses such as blood tests, follow-up consultations, or nutritional support services.

MediHealth Direct typically requires patients to meet specific eligibility criteria before prescribing Wegovy, including having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or above, or 27 kg/m² with weight-related comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, or cardiovascular disease. The service operates on a subscription model, with patients committing to ongoing treatment and regular clinical reviews to monitor efficacy and safety. Prices are subject to change based on supply chain factors and manufacturer pricing adjustments, and UK supply constraints may affect availability. Prospective patients should verify current costs and availability directly with MediHealth Direct before commencing treatment.

NHS vs Private Wegovy: Cost Comparison

The cost difference between accessing Wegovy through the NHS versus private providers like MediHealth Direct is substantial, though availability and eligibility criteria differ significantly between the two pathways. NHS provision of Wegovy is currently limited and subject to strict eligibility criteria established by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). When available through the NHS, patients receiving prescriptions in the community in England pay the standard prescription charge of £9.90 per item (prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), though hospital supply may not attract charges. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are available for those requiring multiple prescriptions.

However, NHS access to Wegovy faces considerable constraints. NICE guidance (TA875) recommends semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight management in adults with at least one weight-related comorbidity and a BMI of ≥35 kg/m² (or ≥32.5 kg/m² for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean family backgrounds). Importantly, NICE specifies that treatment must be provided within specialist weight management services and for a maximum duration of 2 years. Even when meeting these criteria, patients may encounter waiting lists due to limited NHS capacity, supply constraints, and high demand. Many Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have implemented additional local restrictions, further limiting access.

Private provision through services like MediHealth Direct offers an alternative route with potentially different eligibility thresholds, typically requiring a BMI of ≥30 kg/m² (or ≥27 kg/m² with comorbidities) in line with the licensed indication. The significant financial commitment must be considered: annual private costs may range from £2,400 to £3,600, compared to lower costs for NHS prescription charges in England (potentially reduced with a PPC). For patients unable to access NHS provision, private services provide an alternative option, though the ongoing financial burden must be carefully considered alongside the clinical benefits and commitment required for successful weight management outcomes.

How to Access Wegovy Through MediHealth Direct

Accessing Wegovy through MediHealth Direct follows a structured clinical pathway designed to ensure patient safety and treatment appropriateness. The process begins with an online consultation or assessment, where patients complete a detailed medical questionnaire covering their weight history, previous weight loss attempts, current medications, and relevant medical conditions. This information is reviewed by a registered prescribing clinician—typically a GP or specialist prescriber—who determines eligibility based on clinical guidelines and individual patient factors.

Once deemed suitable, patients undergo an initial consultation (often conducted via video call or telephone) to discuss treatment goals, potential side effects, and the commitment required for successful outcomes. The prescriber will calculate BMI, review any warnings or precautions (including personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2), and establish baseline measurements. Clinicians may recommend blood tests to assess thyroid function, kidney function, and glucose levels based on individual clinical assessment. Following approval, the prescription is issued and medication dispatched directly to the patient's address, usually within 2–5 working days.

Ongoing monitoring is a crucial component of MediHealth Direct's service. Patients typically have follow-up consultations at 4-week intervals during the dose-escalation phase, then every 8–12 weeks once established on the maintenance dose. These reviews assess weight loss progress, tolerability, and any adverse effects. Clinicians may consider discontinuing treatment if insufficient weight loss is achieved after an adequate trial period. MediHealth Direct's subscription model ensures continuity of care, with automatic prescription renewals and regular clinical oversight. Patients should be prepared to commit to lifestyle modifications—including dietary changes and increased physical activity—as Wegovy is most effective when combined with comprehensive behavioural interventions.

Patients should be aware of important safety considerations: those taking insulin or sulfonylureas may have an increased risk of hypoglycaemia; maintaining adequate hydration is important to reduce the risk of acute kidney injury; and people with diabetes should have appropriate monitoring for diabetic retinopathy. Wegovy should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment and stop Wegovy at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy.

What Is Wegovy and How Does It Work?

Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide 2.4 mg, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist licensed specifically for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Wegovy received approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in 2022 and is administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection using a pre-filled pen device. Whilst semaglutide is also available at lower doses under the brand name Ozempic for type 2 diabetes management, Wegovy's higher dose is specifically formulated and licensed for weight loss.

The medication works through multiple complementary mechanisms that collectively reduce body weight. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the action of naturally occurring GLP-1, a hormone released by the intestine in response to food intake. By binding to GLP-1 receptors in the brain—particularly in areas regulating appetite and food intake—Wegovy reduces hunger and increases feelings of fullness (satiety). This leads to decreased caloric intake without the conscious effort typically required for dietary restriction. Additionally, semaglutide slows gastric emptying, prolonging the sensation of fullness after meals, and may influence food preferences.

Clinical trials, including the STEP (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with obesity) programme, demonstrated that patients using Wegovy alongside lifestyle interventions achieved an average weight loss of 12–15% of initial body weight over 68 weeks, compared to 2–3% with placebo. Beyond weight reduction, treatment has shown benefits for cardiovascular risk factors, including improvements in blood pressure, lipid profiles, and glycaemic control. Common adverse effects include gastrointestinal symptoms—nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation—which typically diminish over time as the body adjusts. Important safety considerations include risk of hypoglycaemia when used with insulin or sulfonylureas, the need to maintain adequate hydration to avoid acute kidney injury, and monitoring for diabetic retinopathy in people with diabetes.

Serious but rare risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder disease. Patients should seek urgent medical attention if experiencing severe, persistent abdominal pain, especially if accompanied by vomiting or fever, as these may indicate pancreatitis or gallbladder problems. Wegovy should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception and stop treatment at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. Patients should report any suspected side effects to their healthcare professional or directly to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme (yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or via the Yellow Card app).

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