Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a prescription-only GLP-1 receptor agonist licensed for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with comorbidities. At Well Pharmacy, Wegovy is available through private prescription services, with monthly costs typically ranging from £199 to £299. NHS provision remains highly restricted following NICE guidance, limiting access to specialist weight management services for eligible patients. Understanding the costs, eligibility criteria, and alternative options is essential for patients considering this treatment. This article examines Well Pharmacy Wegovy pricing, NHS versus private prescription routes, clinical eligibility, and alternative weight management interventions available in the UK.

Wegovy Pricing at Well Pharmacy

Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a prescription-only medicine licensed for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. At Well Pharmacy, as with other community pharmacies across the UK, Wegovy is available through private prescription services, as NHS availability remains limited following NICE guidance restrictions.

Private prescription costs for Wegovy at Well Pharmacy typically range from approximately £199 to £299 per month, though prices may vary between branches and over time. Always check current pricing directly with your local Well Pharmacy. The treatment follows a structured dose-escalation schedule over 16–20 weeks, starting at 0.25 mg weekly and gradually increasing to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly (or 1.7 mg if 2.4 mg is not tolerated). Patients should budget for the full titration period as part of their treatment plan.

If treatment is interrupted, the SmPC advises restarting at a lower dose and re-titrating to help mitigate gastrointestinal side effects. Well Pharmacy offers weight management services that may include initial consultations, ongoing monitoring, and lifestyle support as part of their private service packages. Some packages include the medication cost with clinical reviews.

Additional costs to consider include the initial prescriber consultation (typically £50–150 if arranged through Well Pharmacy's clinical partners) and follow-up appointments every 3–6 months to assess treatment response and tolerability. Patients should also factor in the cost of sharps disposal containers for the pre-filled injection pens. Prices are subject to change based on supply chain factors and manufacturer pricing adjustments.

NHS vs Private Prescription Costs for Wegovy

The NHS provision of Wegovy is currently highly restricted following NICE guidance (TA875, March 2023). The guidance recommends semaglutide 2.4 mg only for 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). Even within these criteria, access is limited to specialist weight management services, with treatment duration capped at a maximum of 2 years. NICE estimates approximately 35,000 eligible patients over three years across England.

For those who do qualify for NHS-funded treatment, the cost is covered by the standard prescription charge (currently £9.90 per item in England, or free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and for those with exemption certificates). This charge is subject to annual review. However, due to severe supply constraints and the limited rollout through specialist services only, most patients seeking Wegovy will need to pursue private prescriptions. Waiting times for NHS specialist weight management services vary significantly by region but can exceed 12 months in many areas.

Private prescription routes offer faster access but at significantly higher cost. The monthly expense of approximately £199–299 represents a substantial financial commitment, particularly as treatment is typically recommended for at least 12 months. Over a year, private treatment costs between £2,388 and £3,588, compared to a maximum of £118.80 annually for NHS prescriptions in England (or potentially free with exemption).

Patients should discuss with their GP whether they might be eligible for NHS provision through specialist services, though realistic expectations about waiting times and strict eligibility criteria are important. Some private health insurance policies may cover weight management medications, though this is uncommon and typically requires specific policy endorsements.

Eligibility Criteria for Wegovy Treatment

Clinical eligibility for Wegovy treatment, whether NHS-funded or private, follows the licensed indications approved by the MHRA. Wegovy is indicated for adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m² (obesity), or ≥27 kg/m² (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, or cardiovascular disease. For people from certain ethnic backgrounds at higher risk of metabolic complications, lower BMI thresholds apply (generally 2.5 kg/m² lower than the standard thresholds).

Wegovy should be used as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It is not a standalone solution, and prescribers will assess whether patients are committed to comprehensive lifestyle modification. Before initiating treatment, healthcare professionals should exclude secondary causes of obesity (such as hypothyroidism or Cushing's syndrome) and review the patient's medication history, as some drugs can contribute to weight gain.

Contraindications include hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any excipients, personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, and pregnancy. Wegovy is not recommended during breastfeeding. Caution is advised in patients with a history of pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy (particularly in those with type 2 diabetes), gallbladder disease, or renal or hepatic impairment. Wegovy should not be used in combination with other GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Treatment continuation criteria require assessment after a period on the maintenance dose. NICE guidance suggests discontinuing Wegovy if patients have not achieved at least 5% weight loss from baseline after 6 months at the maintenance dose. Regular monitoring should include weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and assessment for adverse effects. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception and discontinue Wegovy at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. Patients should report 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 within the UK healthcare system. Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) remains the most accessible pharmacological option, available both on NHS prescription and over-the-counter at lower strengths. Orlistat costs approximately £45–75 per month privately, or standard NHS prescription charges where eligible. It works by inhibiting pancreatic lipase, reducing dietary fat absorption by approximately 30%, though gastrointestinal side effects can be troublesome.

NHS-funded tier 2 and tier 3 weight management services provide structured lifestyle interventions without medication costs. These programmes, delivered through local authorities or NHS trusts, offer dietary advice, physical activity support, and behavioural change strategies. Referral is typically through GP practices, and services are free at the point of access. Evidence shows that intensive behavioural interventions can achieve 5–10% weight loss in motivated individuals, though outcomes vary considerably.

Bariatric surgery represents the most effective long-term weight management intervention for severe obesity. NICE recommends considering surgery for adults with BMI ≥40 kg/m² (or ≥35 kg/m² with significant comorbidities, with lower thresholds for certain ethnic groups) who have not achieved adequate weight loss with non-surgical methods. NHS-funded surgery is available but subject to local commissioning decisions and often requires completion of tier 3 services first. Private bariatric surgery costs £8,000–15,000, but provides sustained weight loss of 20–35% in most patients.

Liraglutide 3.0 mg (marketed as Saxenda) is another GLP-1 receptor agonist licensed for weight management in the UK. Saxenda costs approximately £200–250 per month privately. Tirzepatide (a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist) has shown promising results in clinical trials for weight management, though its UK licensing status and availability for this indication should be checked with current MHRA and NICE guidance. Patients should report suspected side effects of any medication via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions