Pharmacies across the United Kingdom are experiencing significant demand for Wegovy, a new weight-loss medication now available in tablet form, as it goes on sale for the first time at private clinics and online pharmacies. The drug, touted by medical professionals as a potential game-changer for obesity treatment, is being offered at prices ranging from £79 to £229 per month depending on dosage.

Wegovy, previously available only as an injectable treatment requiring refrigeration, has been reformulated into a daily pill, which experts say will appeal to patients who prefer oral medication over injections. The convenient tablet form is seen as likely to increase patient access and willingness to begin weight-loss therapy.

Retailers such as Superdrug Online Doctor are currently offering the 1.5mg starting dose for new patients at £79 monthly, with higher “step-up” doses of 4mg and above priced up to £229 per month. Simple Online Pharmacy reported it had already approved pre-orders for approximately 10,000 customers in anticipation of shipment this week.

Despite this private sector availability, NHS patients are unlikely to receive the drug until at least 2028, pending a formal recommendation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). This delay has raised concerns among healthcare professionals about the emergence of a “two-tier” system where only those who can afford private prescriptions gain timely access to effective medical treatments.

Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, noted the substantial surge in demand and suggested that the pill’s introduction may increase pressure on the NHS to widen access to weight-loss medications. “The convenience of a daily pill will appeal to those trying to lose weight,” Picard said. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, echoed this view, describing the medication as “transformational” and citing considerable early interest from patients leading pharmacies to place large inventory orders.

While the drug’s arrival has been welcomed, officials and experts have issued cautionary warnings regarding potential risks associated with increased demand. Concerns have been raised about the possibility of misuse and the rise of counterfeit versions on illicit markets. Health experts explained that fake pills might be produced using harmful or inert substances such as brick dust or chalk, and merely coloured to resemble genuine medication. Such counterfeit products pose significant health risks and complicate regulatory efforts.

The ongoing evaluation by NICE and the prospective wider rollout within the NHS remain central factors shaping the accessibility and safe use of Wegovy in the coming years. For now, patients seeking the medication must rely on private providers amid premium costs and ongoing demand pressures.