UK approves Novo Nordisk's Wegovy oral weight‑loss tablet

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the oral tablet form of Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Wegovy, making the United Kingdom the first European country to authorize the GLP‑1 medication for weight‑loss. The pill, containing semaglutide, follows approvals in the United States and the United Arab Emirates and is expected to reach private pharmacies such as Boots, Morrisons and Superdrug within weeks.

The tablet is prescribed for adults with a body‑mass index over 30, and for those with a BMI of 27‑30 who have a weight‑related medical condition. Doses range from 1.5 mg to 25 mg, with patients able to switch directly from the weekly injection to the 25 mg tablet. Novo Nordisk expects the oral option to broaden access, noting that about 15 million people in the UK are living with obesity and that roughly 1.9 million already use GLP‑1 therapies.

The drug is not yet available on the National Health Service, pending a submission to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Private‑pay pricing is projected at around £225 per month, slightly cheaper than the injectable form. Industry analysts anticipate strong demand, especially from patients who prefer an oral regimen over injections.