For the first time, Wegovy weight loss tablets are available to buy in the UK – and Superdrug has become the first high street retailer to offer them. From Friday, eligible patients can order the oral semaglutide medication through Superdrug Online Doctor, with the chain promising the “cheapest and most comprehensive access” to the new service. The pills start at £79 for new patients, with Health & Beautycard holders earning 5x points worth up to £15 on purchases.
The launch comes a month after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the UK’s first GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet for weight management, warning at the time that it would take a short while to reach patients. Now, prescribing is underway, and Dr Clair Grainger, a GP at Superdrug Online Doctor, said: “Following regulatory approval, we’ve seen strong interest in our information register. With prescribing now underway, people can now complete their consultation and access treatment if clinically appropriate, whether that’s online, in pharmacy, or in clinic.”
“Wegovy weight loss pills go on sale at Superdrug for £79, with online consultations now open.”
But strict eligibility rules apply. Patients must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above, or a BMI between 27 and 30 with at least one weight-related comorbidity. The starting dose is 1.5 mg once daily, increasing through 4 mg, 9 mg and 25 mg, with a minimum of one month at each level. Dr Grainger stressed: “Obesity is a complex medical issue, and any treatment will only be prescribed following a thorough clinical assessment against eligibility criteria.”
While sales are initially exclusive to Superdrug’s online platform, the chain plans to roll out the service in more than 160 pharmacies and over 85 nurse services, combining digital convenience with face-to-face support. For now, patients can complete a full clinical assessment via the Superdrug Online Doctor website or speak to their local pharmacy team for more information.