Wegovy & Ozempic (Semaglutide) in the UK: Availability & Access

Wegovy vs Ozempic: what's the difference?

Both pens contain semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that reduces appetite, slows stomach emptying and improves blood-sugar control. The difference is what each is approved for:

Because Wegovy and Ozempic are the same drug, you may see them discussed together — but they are not interchangeable on prescription. If you want semaglutide for weight loss in the UK, the licensed product is Wegovy. You can follow official UK supply signals on our pages for Wegovy, Ozempic and semaglutide.

Was there a semaglutide shortage — and is it over?

Yes. Surging worldwide demand in 2022–24 outstripped supply across the whole GLP-1 class. In the UK this triggered the National Patient Safety Alert above, which restricted GLP-1 medicines to diabetes patients while manufacturing caught up. By 2026 the position has largely recovered and both Wegovy and Ozempic are reported to be generally available, though supply can still be tight for individual strengths at particular pharmacies. If you rely on either medicine, it is sensible to reorder in good time and confirm stock rather than waiting until your last pen.

Getting Wegovy on the NHS

NICE recommends Wegovy for weight management in guidance TA875, but with important limits:

• It must be prescribed within a specialist weight-management service — a GP cannot start it directly.
• Treatment is for a maximum of two years.
• You need to meet BMI criteria (broadly a BMI of 35 or more, or 30–34.9 while meeting referral criteria) plus at least one weight-related health condition. Thresholds are set 2.5 points lower for several ethnic groups who develop these risks at a lower BMI.
• Treatment may be stopped if you have not lost at least 5% of your weight after six months.

NHS capacity in specialist services is limited, so waits can be long. Ask your GP about referral, and read NHS England's overview of weight-management injections.

Getting Wegovy privately

Many people access Wegovy through registered private pharmacies and weight-management clinics. As a rough guide, private Wegovy typically costs in the region of £150–£300 a month depending on the dose and provider, but prices vary and change, so check the current total cost with the provider. A legitimate service will assess your health history and suitability, arrange proper follow-up, and dispense from a UK-registered pharmacy. Avoid any seller offering semaglutide without a consultation, or at prices that look too good to be true.

Safety essentials for patients

The most common side effects of semaglutide are gut-related — nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and tiredness — and usually settle over the first weeks. Important risks to be aware of include:

• Pancreatitis: Seek urgent help for severe, persistent tummy pain, particularly with vomiting.
• Gallbladder problems and, in people with diabetes, possible worsening of diabetic eye disease (retinopathy) — discuss monitoring with your team.
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia): More likely if you also take insulin or certain other diabetes medicines.
• Pregnancy: Do not use in pregnancy; the NHS advises stopping at least two months before trying to conceive, and it is not recommended while breastfeeding. Use contraception while taking it.

Never start, stop or change your dose without your prescriber's advice, and report suspected side effects via the Yellow Card scheme. For a plain-English overview, see the NHS page on semaglutide.

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