Weight Loss Injection Info Posted or Updated on 25 May 2023

Although the NICE guidelines have already been published, the Wegovy® brand of semaglutide is not currently available in the UK, and therefore cannot be prescribed at all.

Other brands of semaglutide are available: Ozempic® (injection) and Rybelsus® (tablets). However, these are only licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and cannot be prescribed for weight management on the NHS.

When Wegovy® becomes available in the UK it will only be prescribed to adult patients who are under an appropriate NHS specialist weight management service, and will not be prescribed in primary care by GPs.

Private weight management services are not restricted to use only within the NICE TA  and, therefore, may offer semaglutide (Wegovy®) to patients with lower BMI thresholds.

Prescribing of Wegovy® that is started privately cannot be continued on the NHS by a GP. Patients would need to meet the criteria stated within the NICE TA and be referred to an NHS specialist weight management service to be assessed for suitability to receive ongoing NHS treatment.