How to Get Semaglutide U.K.: Requirements to Meet
If you’re looking into weight loss injections, you might have come across semaglutide — also known by the brand names Ozempic® and Wegovy®. For the past few years, this medication has been making headlines because of its ability to help people lose weight.
But in the United Kingdom, getting hold of a semaglutide pen isn’t as simple as asking your general practitioner (GP). In fact, sorting out how to get semaglutide can be challenging.
Each medicine has strict eligibility rules set by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Medical providers will also have screening steps before writing a prescription.
We’ll discuss precisely who qualifies for semaglutide in the U.K., how NHS (National Health Service) and private pathways differ, and what to do if you can’t get the medicine through those routes.
Who Qualifies for Semaglutide in the U.K.?
The long and the short of it is that you can only get Wegovy® — that is, semaglutide for weight loss — if you have a high body mass index (BMI). The criteria for accessing the medicine through the NHS are quite strict, so if you don’t qualify, you might consider getting it privately.
For NHS coverage, you’ll need to fit the following criteria, as set out by NICE:
You’re over 18 years of age
Your BMI is at least 35 (or 32.5 for people of certain higher-risk ethnicities)
Or your BMI is 30 or higher (or 27.5 for people of certain higher-risk ethnicities) and you have a weight‑related health condition, like sleep apnoea, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure (hypertension)
You’re referred to a weight loss specialist programme
The MHRA strongly discourages using Ozempic® and Rybelsus® off-label for weight loss, as it can affect the U.K.’s supply of diabetes medications.
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Wegovy® vs. Ozempic® vs. Rybelsus®: Different Licences, Different Rules
On social media, “Ozempic®” is often used as a catch-all term for weight loss medications. But in the U.K., Ozempic® isn’t licensed for treating obesity — it’s a diabetes medicine.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in three medicines:
Ozempic®, a weekly injection licensed for type 2 diabetes
Wegovy®, a weekly injection licensed for weight management
Rybelsus®, a daily tablet for diabetes
All three medications are manufactured by a pharmaceutical company called Novo Nordisk.
Although the brand names and doses vary, they all contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, which is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP‑1) receptor agonist. GLP-1s work by:
Lowering blood glucose (blood sugar)
Slowing stomach emptying (how quickly food leaves the intestines after eating)
Reducing appetite
NHS tier‑3 service for weight management
Importantly, NICE uses lower BMI thresholds (usually reduced by 2.5 kg/m² — that’s body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) for people of Chinese, South Asian, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean family backgrounds. Members of these minority ethnic groups are known to be at equivalent risk of the consequences of obesity at a lower BMI than the white population.
To access semaglutide privately, you’ll need to fit the following criteria:
You’re over 18
Your BMI is at least 30
Meeting these criteria doesn’t mean you’ll get semaglutide for certain, though. While the medication is generally safe, it may be risky for people with certain medical conditions. Before prescribing semaglutide, your prescriber will also consider:
Your medical history
Previous weight loss attempts
Current medications you’re taking
Your mental health status and eating disorder history
Why are the NHS criteria so strict? It’s partly a matter of funding. Wegovy® is funded only within specialist services under NICE TA875, so your GP must refer you. Medical services have limited capacity and long waiting lists.
How to Access Semaglutide Through the NHS
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to access semaglutide through the NHS:
First, you’ll need to make an appointment with a general practitioner. They’ll offer you an assessment and lifestyle advice.
The GP might refer you to a tier‑3 weight management service if your BMI meets NICE’s criteria.
Tier-3 services include multidisciplinary support. You’ll likely see a dietitian and therapist.
After 12 weeks, if lifestyle measures aren’t enough, you might be offered Wegovy®.
Although the NHS has the clear advantage of having no private fees plus multidisciplinary support, there are disadvantages to this route:
You’d have to meet stricter criteria to qualify for semaglutide
Waiting lists can be very long
There’s limited regional availability
For this reason, you might want to consider private care if you can afford it.
How to Access Semaglutide Privately in the U.K.
Where can I buy semaglutide in the U.K.? You can get semaglutide through a private clinic — including through convenient telemedicine services like Hers U.K.
Here’s what the process looks like with us:
Fill out a five‑minute online assessment covering your BMI, medical history, and weight loss goals.
A prescriber registered with the GMC (General Medical Council) will review your answers and contact you about next steps.
You’ll receive a personalised plan with Wegovy® (if appropriate), as well as guidance on physical activity and a reduced-calorie diet.
Your medication will be delivered discreetly and quickly.
If necessary, you can make a follow-up appointment with your care team.
Although private care does come with out-of-pocket costs, it can be a reasonably priced option, and you can expect to access it faster.
If you’re weighing up private treatment, you might also find it helpful to look at whether Hers weight loss works for people with similar goals.
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Do I Qualify for Semaglutide in the U.K.? A Chart
Here’s a quick table to see whether you’ll be considered for Wegovy® in the U.K.. Please note that, even if you fit the BMI criteria, semaglutide might not be a good fit for you if you have certain health conditions or are on medicines that may interact with a GLP-1.
BMI category | NHS eligibility | Private eligibility |
Overweight (BMI 25–27.4) | No | Yes, if you have a weight-related health condition |
Overweight (BMI 27.5–29.9) | Yes, if you’re of South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean descent | Yes, if you have a weight-related health condition |
Obesity class I (BMI 30–34.9) | Yes, if you already qualify for a tier‑3 programme due to serious comorbidities (hypertension, sleep apnoea, type 2 diabetes, etc.) | Yes |
Obesity class II/III (BMI: ≥ 35 kg/m²) | Yes — direct eligibility for Wegovy® within tier‑3 services | Yes |
How to Qualify for Semaglutide Alternatives
If you don’t meet Wegovy®’s criteria with the NHS or a private clinic — or supply issues persist — two other weight loss injectables may fit the bill: tirzepatide and liraglutide.
Liraglutide is another GLP-1 receptor agonist, while tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. (GIP is short for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). They work similarly to semaglutide.
This chart can help you sort out if you’re eligible for these semaglutide alternatives.
Drug | NHS eligibility | Private eligibility |
Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) | BMI ≥ 35 (or ≥ 32.5 for certain ethnicity groups) and a weight-related comorbidity | BMI ≥ 30 (or ≥ 27 with comorbidities) |
Saxenda® (liraglutide) | BMI ≥ 35 (or ≥ 32.5 for people from ethnic minority backgrounds), plus non-diabetic hyperglycaemia and a risk of cardiovascular disease | BMI ≥ 30 |
Neither drug should be combined with another GLP‑1. Your prescriber will recommend one for you based on efficacy, side‑effect tolerance, supply, and cost.
Who Shouldn’t Use Semaglutide?
While semaglutide is generally safe for most adults, some people shouldn’t use this medication because they may have a higher risk of experiencing serious side effects.
You should not start semaglutide if you:
Are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding. GLP‑1s haven’t been proven safe for fetuses or nursing babies.
Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Thyroid tumours were seen in rodent studies, although they have not been found in human clinical trials.
Currently use another GLP‑1 or dual GIP/GLP‑1 medicine, like liraglutide or tirzepatide. Combining them increases your risk of side effects.
Have active pancreatitis or a history of recurrent pancreatitis. Semaglutide may worsen the condition.
Live with severe gastroparesis or inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn’s). Slower stomach emptying can worsen gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.
Have proliferative diabetic retinopathy that’s not well‑controlled. Rapid glucose decline or weight shifts may aggravate eye damage.
Have end‑stage kidney disease or need dialysis. Close specialist supervision is required if semaglutide is considered.
It’s important to discuss your full medical history with your prescribing clinician. This helps ensure semaglutide is safe for you. If semaglutide isn’t recommended, another weight loss treatment may be more suitable.
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Summary: Getting Semaglutide in the U.K.
Weight loss can be a difficult and turbulent feat. Treatments like semaglutide can make it a bit easier — but not everybody qualifies for semaglutide in the U.K.
Here’s what you should keep in mind about how to get semaglutide:
In the U.K., Wegovy® is the only semaglutide-based medication licensed for weight management.
Through the NHS, Wegovy® treatment is limited to adults with a BMI of at least 35 kg/m² (or 32.5kg/m² for people from ethnic minority backgrounds) or at least 30 kg/m² (or 27.5kg/m² if you’re a racial minority) if you also have a weight‑related medical condition.
Private providers like Hers U.K. can prescribe Wegovy® for those with a BMI of at least 30 kg/m² (or at least 27 kg/m² with conditions) with faster access.
If you don’t qualify for semaglutide or can’t tolerate the more common side effects, you can consider other weight loss treatments. Hers offers Mounjaro® and orlistat, a fat-absorption blocker.
No matter which weight loss medication you use, you’ll get the best results if you pair it with lifestyle changes — think regular training and a calorie-restricted diet. A healthcare provider can offer you more guidance on these healthy habits.
Ready to start on the road to weight loss? Take the free Hers assessment today. From there, a healthcare professional can create a personalised health plan based on your needs and goals.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your GP about the risks and benefits of any treatment.