Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a once-weekly injectable medicine licensed for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight alongside weight-related conditions. Understanding Wegovy cost is essential for patients considering this treatment, as expenses vary significantly between NHS and private prescriptions. Whilst NHS prescriptions cost as little as £9.90 per item in England (free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), access remains severely restricted due to supply constraints and stringent eligibility criteria. Private treatment offers potentially quicker access but typically costs £200–£300 monthly, totalling £2,400–£3,600 annually. This article examines Wegovy pricing, NHS availability, private clinic costs, and eligibility requirements to help patients make informed decisions.

What Is Wegovy and How Does It Work for Weight Loss?

Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a once-weekly injectable prescription medicine licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight alongside weight-related health conditions. It belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, originally developed for type 2 diabetes management but now recognised for their significant weight loss effects.

The mechanism of action centres on mimicking the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, which is released from the gut after eating. Semaglutide works by:

• Reducing appetite through effects on brain regions that regulate hunger and satiety

• Slowing gastric emptying, which prolongs feelings of fullness after meals

• Improving glucose metabolism, helping to stabilise blood sugar levels

• Potentially affecting food preferences, with some patients reporting reduced interest in high-calorie foods

Treatment begins with a low dose (0.25 mg weekly) and gradually increases over 16-20 weeks to the full 2.4 mg dose, which helps minimise side effects. The medication is administered as a subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that Wegovy, when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, can lead to an average weight loss of approximately 12–15% of initial body weight over 68 weeks. This represents a substantial improvement compared to lifestyle interventions alone, which typically achieve 2–5% weight loss.

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain. More serious but less common adverse effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and hypoglycaemia (particularly in patients taking insulin or sulfonylureas). Patients should seek urgent medical attention for severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or signs of dehydration.

It is important to understand that Wegovy is not a quick fix or cosmetic treatment. It is indicated for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or above, or 27 kg/m² or above with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or obstructive sleep apnoea. The medication requires ongoing commitment to dietary and lifestyle modifications to achieve and maintain meaningful weight loss. Patients should be aware that weight regain commonly occurs if treatment is discontinued.

Wegovy should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or alongside other GLP-1 receptor agonists. Suspected side effects should be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Private Wegovy Costs: What to Expect from UK Clinics

For those seeking Wegovy through private healthcare providers in the UK, costs can vary considerably depending on the clinic, location, service model, and current supply availability. As of 2024–2025, patients should anticipate the following approximate expenses:

Initial consultation fees typically range from £50 to £200, during which a clinician will assess eligibility, review medical history, measure BMI, and discuss treatment goals. Some online services offer lower-cost or free initial assessments, whilst specialist weight management clinics may charge premium consultation rates.

Monthly medication costs for Wegovy generally fall between £200 and £300 per month, though this can fluctuate based on:

• The dosage phase (treatment begins with lower doses and gradually increases)

• Bulk purchasing or subscription models offered by some providers

• Additional services bundled with prescriptions (such as dietetic support or follow-up consultations)

• Pharmacy dispensing fees and delivery charges

• Current supply constraints, which affect both NHS and private availability

Over a typical 12-month treatment course, patients might expect to spend approximately £2,400 to £3,600 on medication alone, plus consultation and monitoring costs. These figures are indicative only and may change with market conditions and supply availability.

Some private clinics offer package deals that include initial assessment, regular follow-ups, injection training, sharps disposal, and medication supply for a fixed monthly fee. When considering these packages, patients should clarify exactly what is included and whether additional costs may apply for missed appointments or dose adjustments.

Follow-up appointments are essential for monitoring progress, managing side effects, and adjusting treatment plans. These typically cost £40 to £100 per consultation and are usually recommended every 4–12 weeks, particularly during the dose escalation phase.

Patients should ensure they use UK-regulated prescribers (registered with the General Medical Council) and pharmacies (registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council) and avoid unlicensed sources of medication.

It is worth noting that private health insurance policies in the UK typically do not cover weight management medications, though individual policies vary. Patients should verify coverage directly with their insurer before commencing treatment. Some employers now offer weight management programmes as part of occupational health benefits, which may subsidise treatment costs in certain circumstances.

Wegovy Cost in the UK: NHS vs Private Prescription

The cost disparity between NHS and private Wegovy prescriptions is substantial, reflecting broader differences in healthcare funding models and access criteria.

NHS prescription costs are significantly lower for eligible patients. In England, the standard prescription charge is currently £9.90 per item (as of 2024), though this may change with annual reviews. Patients in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland benefit from free NHS prescriptions. For those requiring long-term treatment, a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) in England offers considerable savings: a 12-month PPC costs £114.50 (as of April 2024), covering unlimited prescriptions during that period. This represents exceptional value compared to private costs, potentially saving patients thousands of pounds annually.

It's worth noting that medicines dispensed directly by hospital pharmacies may have different charging arrangements than those dispensed by community pharmacies.

However, NHS availability of Wegovy remains extremely limited due to supply constraints and strict eligibility criteria. Even when patients meet clinical thresholds, access is restricted to specialist weight management services only, not primary care, and treatment is limited to a maximum of 2 years. Many services have lengthy waiting lists extending to 12–18 months or longer in some regions. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance supporting Wegovy use in specific populations, but implementation across NHS integrated care boards (ICBs) has been inconsistent.

Private prescriptions bypass some access barriers but at considerable financial cost, as outlined in the previous section. The key advantages include:

• Potentially quicker access subject to current supply availability

• Flexible appointment scheduling, including evening and weekend consultations

• Comprehensive support services, such as dietetic counselling and behavioural coaching

Both NHS and private sectors are affected by the same national supply constraints, so neither can guarantee continuous medication availability.

Patients should carefully weigh the financial sustainability of private treatment against the potential health benefits. For some individuals, the upfront investment may be justified by the urgency of addressing obesity-related complications such as cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes. Others may prefer to pursue NHS referral whilst implementing lifestyle modifications, accepting the longer timeline in exchange for minimal out-of-pocket costs.

Is Wegovy Available on the NHS and Who Qualifies?

Wegovy is technically available on the NHS, but access remains highly restricted due to a combination of supply limitations, budgetary constraints, and stringent eligibility criteria. NICE published guidance (TA875) in March 2023 recommending semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight management in specific adult populations, but implementation has been challenging.

NHS eligibility criteria for Wegovy require patients to meet the following conditions:

• Treatment must be initiated and supervised within specialist weight management services only

• BMI of 35 kg/m² or above, or BMI of 30–34.9 kg/m² with at least one weight-related comorbidity that would benefit from weight loss (such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, or cardiovascular disease)

• For people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean family backgrounds, the BMI thresholds are typically reduced by 2.5 kg/m²

• Evidence of previous weight management attempts, including participation in structured lifestyle programmes for at least 6 months without achieving or maintaining adequate weight loss

• Treatment is limited to a maximum of 2 years

Patients should not use Wegovy if they are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Caution is advised for those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or severe gastrointestinal disease.

Even when these criteria are met, supply shortages have severely limited NHS prescribing. In 2023–2024, the manufacturer (Novo Nordisk) prioritised existing patients and restricted new initiations due to unprecedented global demand. Many NHS trusts have implemented local prescribing policies that further restrict access, prioritising patients with the highest clinical need or those already established on treatment.

Patients seeking NHS access should:

• Discuss eligibility with their GP, who can provide referral to specialist services where available

• Engage with local weight management programmes, as completion of these is often a prerequisite for medication consideration

• Be prepared for extended waiting times, potentially 12–24 months from initial referral to treatment commencement

• Continue lifestyle modifications during the waiting period, as demonstrated commitment to behavioural change strengthens the case for pharmacological intervention

It is important to note that there is no official guarantee of NHS access even for eligible patients, and availability varies significantly by region and integrated care board (ICB).

Frequently Asked Questions