The UK’s first licensed Wegovy weight loss pill has officially launched – giving patients a needle-free alternative to the popular weekly injection.
The tablet, containing the same active ingredient, semaglutide, is expected to prove popular with people who dislike injections, while also offering practical advantages such as easier storage and no need for refrigeration.
But with private prescriptions now available, many people will be asking one key question: is the pill actually any cheaper than the jab?
According to pharmacy experts, the answer depends on the dose.
Weight loss tablets are now available, but are they any cheaper than the jabs? (Image: Chris Radburn/PA Wire)
How much does the Wegovy pill cost?
Deputy Superintendent Wendy Lee from Well Pharmacy said prices are closer than many people expected.
She said: “Current UK pricing suggests there is less difference than many people expected between the two options.
“It’s estimated the pill will cost between £98.50 to £185.00 per month, compared to the equivalent Wegovy injection costing between £89.00 per month for the introductory dose, rising to over £169.00 per month for higher doses.
“Higher or maintenance doses will cost between £170 to £200 per month for the pill versus £180 to £250 for the jab.
“This means that at lower doses, the injection is often slightly cheaper, but at maintenance doses, the prices are broadly comparable, with some providers pricing the pill similarly to or even below the highest-dose injection.
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“Well Pharmacy offers a pharmacist-led service that provides support to patients throughout their weight loss journey.
“Although not the cheapest of the providers, patients receive ongoing clinical and lifestyle support from the pharmacists throughout treatment rather than just repeat prescriptions, ensuring the drug is administered safely and effectively.”
Wegovy pill vs injection: Price comparison
Estimated monthly costs
Wegovy pill (starting doses): £98.50 to £185
Wegovy injection (starting dose): From £89
Wegovy pill (maintenance doses): £170 to £200
Wegovy injection (maintenance doses): £180 to £250
For many patients, the difference in price is relatively small, particularly once higher maintenance doses are reached.
Why some people may prefer the pill
While cost is important, pharmacists say lifestyle is likely to be the deciding factor.
Lee said: “Given the costs are broadly comparable, the biggest deciding factor for most people is not likely to come down to price alone.
“Instead, it will be about which treatment best fits their lifestyle.
“For example, for some, the pill’s biggest advantage is that it removes the need for injections altogether, which is made particularly attractive if they have a needle phobia.
“Others might prefer the regularity of taking a daily tablet, which doesn’t require refrigeration, making storing it or traveling with it easier.”
The tablet could appeal to the estimated 2.4 million Britons thought to live with a clinically significant fear of needles, as well as many others who simply prefer not to self-inject.
There are drawbacks too
The daily tablet is not necessarily the more convenient option for everyone.
Lee explained: “But a daily tablet isn’t necessarily always the most convenient option. Like the weekly injection, the pill activates the same receptors to help reduce hunger and food intake as the currently available injectable-only drugs.
“It must be taken every morning on an empty stomach with a small amount of water, and you have to wait before eating or drinking, and if you miss a dose, it could affect the drug’s efficacy.
“Some people find a once-weekly injection easier to remember and less disruptive to their daily routine.
“The injectable version also has a longer track record in clinical practice, giving patients and healthcare professionals greater confidence in its long-term use.”
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Which option is best?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, according to Lee.
She said: “Ultimately, the best option is likely to be the one you can take consistently and suits your lifestyle.
“While the pill is expected to make semaglutide treatments more appealing to those who have been put off by injections, others may continue to favour the simplicity of administering a jab that is only required once a week.”
Would you take a weight loss pill? Tell us in the comments below.