MHRA approves Wegovy pill UK; Novo Nordisk touts ease
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- MHRA approved the first Wegovy tablet in the UK, marking the first GLP‑1 oral medication cleared by the agency.
- Novo Nordisk says the once‑daily tablet is more convenient for some patients and does not require refrigeration, unlike the weekly injection.
- NICE has not yet received a formal request from Novo Nordisk for NHS coverage, but the regulator is in active dialogue with the company.
- Pharmacies (high‑street and online) plan to add the Wegovy tablet to their prescribing services once it becomes available.
- Dose schedule starts at 1.5 mg once daily and escalates to 4 mg, 9 mg and 25 mg, with a minimum one‑month period at each level.
- Cost in the UK is undisclosed; the US launch listed the 1.5 mg dose at $149 (≈£110) per month.
Why it matters: Patients who struggle with weekly injections gain a convenient, fridge‑free daily tablet, while pharmacies can expand services and the NHS may later assess cost‑effectiveness. Novo Nordisk could see broader uptake, but the price remains unknown, potentially affecting affordability, and the transition from the 2.4 mg injection to the 25 mg tablet may simplify dosing.
