UK pharmacies launch Wegovy weight-loss pill, warn of fakes

A new weight loss pill is being made available in the United Kingdom for the first time, with pharmacies preparing for a significant surge in demand and warnings issued about a potential rise in counterfeit versions. The Wegovy tablet, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, became the first GLP-1 receptor agonist pill for weight loss to be approved by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in June.

The initial 1.5mg and 4mg doses are now accessible to eligible patients through private weight management programs at select pharmacies. A recent survey of 310 pharmacies by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) found that 76 percent expect to start a significant number of new patients on the pill in the coming months, with around half reporting a surge in enquiries since the MHRA's approval.

Olivier Picard, chairman of the NPA, described the launch as a significant day, particularly for patients who cannot or do not want to use an injectable form of the medication. He stated that community pharmacies are ready to support a wider rollout to help eligible patients access treatment safely and mitigate the impact of obesity on the National Health Service (NHS).