How Much Does Wegovy® Cost in the U.K.?
Wegovy® (semaglutide) is a weight loss injection that’s now available in the United Kingdom. While it can make a massive difference in supporting weight loss, the medicine comes at a cost — literally. It can be quite pricey.
In the U.K., you have two options for accessing Wegovy® — you can purchase it privately or via the NHS (National Health Service). However, it’s only covered by the NHS if you meet the organisation’s strict criteria. And in reality, it’s virtually inaccessible due to extensive waiting lists (often two to three years) and supply constraints.
Let’s look at the latest Wegovy® cost figures for private prescriptions, explain how to check if you qualify on the NHS, and compare prices with Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) and Saxenda® (liraglutide).
Wegovy® Cost per Month U.K.
In the U.K., you can expect to pay £99 to £320 per month for Wegovy®. The monthly price depends on your dosage.
However, if you meet certain criteria, you might be able to access Wegovy® for free through the NHS.
One Wegovy® pre-filled pen contains four doses of Wegovy® (a month’s supply). The pen typically costs between £99 and £320, depending on strength.
Beyond the price of the actual weight loss medication, you might need to account for additional costs, like consultations, follow-up appointments, needles, and remedies for managing the potential side effects of Wegovy®.
Weight loss your way
Why Do Wegovy® Prices Fluctuate From Month to Month?
Wegovy® is a once‑weekly weight loss injection manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It’s authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for weight management and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart disease.
The active ingredient in Wegovy® is semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist.
As with most GLP-1 receptor agonists, you’ll need to take a lower dose of Wegovy® at first. After your body adjusts to the starting dose, you’ll increase your dose depending on your provider’s instructions. If you’re on a higher dose, your average monthly cost will increase.
Providers can also include various other items with a prescription order (consultations, follow‑ups, needles, delivery), which nudges prices up or down.
Typical Wegovy® Prices at U.K. Private Clinics
Dose (weekly) in milligrams (mg) | Typical monthly price |
|---|---|
0.25 mg (typical starting dose) | £99 – £199 |
0.5 mg | £109 – £229 |
1 mg | £129 – £249 |
1.7 mg | £189 – £279 |
2.4 mg (typical maintenance dose) | £249 – £319 |
You can access Wegovy® and other weight loss medications through Hers U.K. An up-to-date price will be shown during your online assessment so you know the exact cost before committing to treatment.
The fee will cover:
Your Wegovy® injection pen
Ongoing clinician support
Courier delivery in discreet packaging
Some clinics charge separately for consultations. Hers U.K. folds these into the medicine price.
Is Wegovy® Treatment Available via the NHS?
Technically yes, but only if you meet certain eligibility criteria, as set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
NICE is an independent organisation that decides whether new treatments are cost‑effective for the NHS. Its Wegovy® guidance sets out who can receive the drug with public funding.
If you meet NICE criteria, Wegovy® pens are supplied at no extra cost beyond the standard £9.90 NHS prescription charge in England (prescriptions remain free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).
You’d have to meet these requirements to get Wegovy® through the NHS:
Age: You must be 18 years or older.
Body mass index (BMI) thresholds: You need to have a BMI of at least 35 kg/m² (that’s your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared) or at least 32.5 kg/m² for Chinese, South Asian, other Asian, Black African, African‑Caribbean, and Middle Eastern adults. Or a BMI of at least 30 kg/m² (or at least 27.5 kg/m² for the minority groups above) if you already qualify for a tier‑3 specialist weight‑management service due to weight‑related health conditions, like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), or sleep apnoea.
Programme participation: You typically need to complete a 12‑week multidisciplinary lifestyle course before starting Wegovy®. This may involve dietary changes or a training programme.
Efficacy check: To remain eligible for Wegovy®, you’ll need to lose at least five percent of your starting body weight after 12 weeks on the injection.
Private clinics use different eligibility criteria. If you don’t qualify for Wegovy® treatment via the NHS, you might still be able to access it through a private provider.
One downside of relying on the NHS? Supply. Currently, the waiting lists for weight loss injections can vary from six months to two or more years. Each region has a different supply cap, so where you live can affect whether you can access the medication.
So, even if you meet all criteria and complete the programme, there’s no guarantee you’ll get Wegovy® due to supply limitations and funding constraints.
Your plan is waiting
Does Private Medical Insurance (PMI) Cover Wegovy®?
Most U.K. private medical insurance policies still classify anti‑obesity drugs as ”lifestyle” treatments and do not reimburse Wegovy®. A few schemes may consider covering Wegovy® if you have weight-related medical complications, but you’ll need prior authorisation.
Cost of Wegovy® vs. Ozempic®
You might have heard Ozempic® being referred to as a weight loss injection. If so, you may wonder whether Ozempic is more affordable than Wegovy®.
Ozempic® is a weekly injection containing semaglutide, the same active ingredient used in Wegovy®. However, Ozempic® is only licensed by the MHRA for treating type 2 diabetes, not for weight loss.
The MHRA strongly discourages using Ozempic® for weight loss, as it can affect the U.K.’s supply of diabetes medications. What’s more, Ozempic® faces the same severe supply shortages as Wegovy®, making it equally difficult to obtain, even for diabetes patients.
But if you can somehow access it in the U.K., you can expect to pay a similar amount for Ozempic® as you do for Wegovy®. Again, the price will depend on your dosage.
Are There Any Other Costs Associated With Wegovy®?
Beyond the pen price, consider budgeting for:
Side effect treatments. You may need prescription or non-prescription medicines to manage the common side effects of Wegovy® — for example, anti‑nausea tablets, laxatives, or fibre supplements.
Sharps disposal. Some councils charge for clinical waste collection if your provider doesn’t supply a sharps bin and return postage.
Follow‑up blood tests. Your GP (general practitioner) or private clinic may order labs (costing roughly £30 to £100) to monitor kidney and liver function.
Wegovy® works best when paired with healthy lifestyle changes, like a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise. Consider whether you might want to invest in a gym membership, home training equipment, or a healthy eating programme.
How to Save on Wegovy® Without NHS Access
Wegovy® can be quite expensive without NHS access, but there are a few ways to save on costs.
Here are a few suggestions:
Buy multi-month bundles. Some providers discount multi‑month bundles by 10 to 15 percent.
Employer wellness programmes. A small but growing number of work wellness programmes now subsidise GLP-1s.
Consider telemedicine services. Telemedicine clinics are often more cost-effective than in-person clinics, especially if you factor in added expenses like transportation.
Shop around to compare prices. Some private clinics offer more value for money than others. Look for programmes that offer free follow-up appointments, include needles and sharps bins, and so on.
But make sure any provider you go with is CQC-registered (Care Quality Commission) with GMC-registered (General Medical Council) prescribers. Avoid beauty clinics or non-medical providers offering suspiciously cheap “semaglutide.”
How Does Wegovy® Pricing Compare to Alternatives?
Wegovy® isn’t the only weight loss treatment out there. If Wegovy® isn’t available to you or the Wegovy® injection cost is too high, you can consider alternatives.
Here’s what you could expect to pay per month with similar weight loss medicines:
Saxenda® (liraglutide), a daily GLP-1 injection, can cost £150 to £240.
Mounjaro® (tirzepatide), a weekly GLP-1 and GIP injection, costs £129 to £205.
Xenical® (orlistat), a pill that blocks fat absorption, costs £30 to £55.
As with all weight loss treatments, these medications work best when paired with a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
Remember, these prices depend on your exact dosage, which will vary based on your weight loss goals, side effect tolerance, and other factors.
Unlock your treatment plan
The Upshot: What Does Wegovy® Cost in the U.K.?
Wegovy® is a popular weight loss injection that’s now available in the U.K. Clinical trials show Wegovy® can be highly effective for weight loss. The medicine delays gastric emptying, stabilises blood sugar levels, and reduces food cravings.
But it comes at a cost — quite literally. If you’re considering using Wegovy® or any other GLP-1 medicine, it’s important to consider your budget first.
Here’s what to know about the Wegovy® U.K. costs:
If you go the private route, Wegovy® costs roughly £99 to £319 per month in the U.K. This depends on the private clinic you use as well as your dose, which will change over time.
Provider packages vary. Private clinics may include consultation fees, follow-ups, and other extras with their Wegovy® prescription orders — so do shop around and compare packages.
Private medical care doesn’t usually cover Wegovy® in the U.K. But check the details of your exact plan, as you might be able to get a reimbursement.
You can get Wegovy® through the NHS. But you must reach specific criteria. NHS supply is generally limited to adults in specialist services with a BMI of 35 or more (or a BMI of 30, if you have weight-related medical conditions). Even then, it’s very hard to access the medicine due to severe supply shortages.
Hers offers a number of weight loss treatments, including Wegovy®. If you want to find out if you’re eligible, start the free Hers U.K. assessment today.
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.