The annual cost of Wegovy in the UK varies dramatically depending on whether treatment is accessed through the NHS or privately. For NHS-eligible patients in England, costs are limited to standard prescription charges of approximately £118.80 per year, whilst those in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland receive prescriptions free of charge. Private patients typically face annual expenditure of £1,800–£3,500, including medication, consultations, and monitoring. Understanding these cost differences, eligibility criteria, and strategies to reduce expenditure is essential for anyone considering this once-weekly injectable weight management medication.

What Is Wegovy and How Does It Work?

Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. It belongs to a class of medicines called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, originally developed for type 2 diabetes management but now widely recognised for their efficacy in weight reduction.

The mechanism of action centres on mimicking the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, which is released from the gut in response to food intake. Semaglutide binds to GLP-1 receptors in the brain, particularly in areas that regulate appetite and food intake. This leads to increased satiety, reduced hunger, and delayed gastric emptying, helping patients consume fewer calories without the intense cravings often associated with calorie restriction. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Wegovy, when combined with lifestyle interventions including diet and exercise, can result in an average weight loss of 10–15% of initial body weight over 68 weeks.

Wegovy is administered via a pre-filled pen injector, with dosing gradually escalated over 16 weeks to minimise gastrointestinal side effects. The standard titration schedule increases the dose every 4 weeks: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, reaching the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg from week 17 (slower escalation may be considered for tolerability). It is important to note that Wegovy is intended as a long-term treatment; discontinuation often results in weight regain.

The medication is not suitable for everyone and requires careful consideration. It should be avoided in pregnancy and during breastfeeding (and stopped at least 2 months before planned pregnancy). Caution is needed in those with a history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or diabetic retinopathy (particularly in people with diabetes using insulin). A family or personal history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 are precautionary warnings that require clinical review. NICE guidance emphasises that pharmacological weight management should always be part of a comprehensive programme including dietary modification, physical activity, and behavioural support.

Factors That Affect the Total Cost of Wegovy Treatment

The annual cost of Wegovy varies considerably depending on several key factors, making it essential for patients to understand what influences the overall expenditure. The primary determinant is whether treatment is accessed through the NHS or private healthcare, with substantial differences in out-of-pocket costs between these pathways.

Dosing schedule and titration period significantly impact total expenditure. Wegovy requires a gradual dose escalation starting at 0.25 mg weekly, increasing every four weeks through 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and finally reaching the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. During the initial titration phase (16 weeks), patients use lower-dose pens, which may be priced differently from maintenance doses. Some private providers charge per pen rather than per milligram, affecting the calculation of annual costs.

Prescriber type and service model also influence pricing. Private weight management clinics, online prescription services, and traditional GP practices may have different fee structures. Some services include consultation fees, monitoring appointments, and dietetic support within a package price, while others charge separately for medical oversight, blood tests, and follow-up reviews. These ancillary costs can add £200–£500 or more annually.

Supply chain factors including pharmacy dispensing fees, delivery charges for online services, and whether prescriptions are fulfilled in single or multiple-month supplies affect convenience and cost. Additionally, treatment duration is crucial—NHS-funded Wegovy is typically limited to a maximum of 2 years and is delivered via specialist weight management services. Some local commissioning policies may include continuation criteria based on weight loss achieved.

Private medical insurance rarely covers weight management medications, typically viewing them as lifestyle rather than medical treatments. Finally, regional variations in private healthcare pricing across the UK mean that costs in London and the South East may exceed those in other regions.

Ways to Reduce Wegovy Costs and Alternative Options

For patients concerned about the financial burden of Wegovy, several strategies may help reduce costs, alongside consideration of alternative weight management approaches.

NHS eligibility represents the most significant cost-saving opportunity. NICE guidance recommends Wegovy for adults within specialist weight management services, primarily for those with a BMI ≥35 kg/m² and at least one weight-related comorbidity. Exceptional use may be considered at BMI 30–34.9 kg/m², and lower BMI thresholds may apply for some minority ethnic groups. NHS-funded treatment is typically limited to a maximum of 2 years. Patients should discuss NHS access with their GP, though availability varies by Integrated Care Board (ICB) due to commissioning decisions and supply constraints. NHS prescription charges in England currently stand at £9.90 per item (free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), making this dramatically more affordable than private costs.

Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) in England can reduce costs for those requiring multiple prescriptions. An annual PPC costs £111.60 and covers all NHS prescriptions, potentially beneficial if Wegovy is prescribed alongside medications for comorbidities.

For private patients, comparing providers is essential. Online prescription services, high-street pharmacies with weight management programmes, and specialist clinics offer varying price points. Some providers offer subscription models with monthly payments rather than upfront annual costs, improving affordability. Occasionally, patient assistance programmes or promotional pricing may be available, though these are uncommon in the UK market.

Alternative GLP-1 medications may be considered. Saxenda (liraglutide), another licensed weight management injection, requires daily administration but may have different pricing structures. It is important to note that Ozempic (semaglutide 1 mg) should not be prescribed off-label for weight loss in the UK due to national supply guidance.

Non-pharmacological alternatives remain the foundation of weight management. NHS-funded programmes including Tier 3 weight management services provide intensive lifestyle intervention with dietetic, psychological, and exercise support at no direct cost to patients. For those with BMI ≥40 kg/m² (or ≥35 kg/m² with comorbidities), bariatric surgery offers a permanent solution with proven long-term efficacy and is available through the NHS following multidisciplinary assessment. Digital weight management programmes, some commissioned by the NHS, provide structured support at lower cost than pharmacotherapy.

Wegovy Annual Cost in the UK: Private and NHS Pricing

Understanding the specific annual costs of Wegovy treatment requires distinguishing between NHS and private pathways, with substantial differences in patient expenditure.

NHS Pricing: For eligible patients accessing Wegovy through the NHS specialist weight management services, the cost is limited to standard prescription charges. In England, this equates to £9.90 per prescription item (as of April 2024), typically dispensed monthly, resulting in an annual cost of approximately £118.80 for 12 prescriptions. Patients in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland receive NHS prescriptions free of charge, making Wegovy effectively cost-free beyond general taxation. Those with a prescription prepayment certificate pay a maximum of £111.60 annually regardless of prescription frequency. NHS-funded Wegovy is normally limited to a maximum of 2 years. However, NHS access remains limited due to NICE eligibility criteria, local commissioning decisions, and ongoing supply constraints affecting availability across different ICBs.

Private Pricing: The private market shows considerable variation, but typical costs for Wegovy range from £150–£250 per month for the medication alone, translating to an annual cost of approximately £1,800–£3,000. This covers the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly; initial titration packs may be priced differently. When factoring in mandatory consultation fees, prescriber assessments, and monitoring, total annual costs often reach £2,200–£3,500 or more. Some private providers offer package deals including dietetic support, regular reviews, and blood monitoring, which may represent better value than pay-as-you-go models.

Online prescription services have emerged as a popular private route, with monthly subscription models typically ranging from £175–£230, equating to £2,100–£2,760 annually. These services usually include remote consultations, prescription issuance, and home delivery, though face-to-face clinical assessment may be limited.

Important considerations: Private medical insurance rarely covers weight management medications, viewing them as lifestyle rather than medical treatments. Patients should verify coverage before assuming reimbursement. Additionally, the long-term nature of Wegovy treatment means annual costs may extend over multiple years, as discontinuation frequently results in weight regain. For those unable to afford ongoing treatment, discussing NHS eligibility or alternative weight management strategies with a GP is advisable, as abrupt discontinuation without support may compromise weight management goals.

Patients should report any suspected side effects from Wegovy to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions