- Wegovy tablets have been discontinued for private purchase in pharmacies in the UK, but are not available through the NHS.
- The MHRA has withdrawn Wegovy tablets from the market; the starting dose of 1.5mg, with doses up to 4mg, 9mg and 25mg, has been withdrawn due to concerns that the medicine may have been contaminated with a foreign substance.
- According to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), 310 packs of medicine have been sold: 76% of patients are said to have purchased the new dose. The NPA also said that 97% of patients who were prescribed the medicine received it through NHS regulations.
The tablet version of Wegovy for weight loss has been discontinued for private purchase in UK pharmacies, according to British media. The materials say that it is not included in NHS programs.
In an article published by Independent, the Wegovy tablet is described as a product by Novo Nordisk for treating obesity, approved by the UK Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The material also notes the following starting doses: 1.5mg, with doses increased to 4mg, 9mg and 25mg, which patients may take. The BBC also notes that Wegovy tablets contain the substance semaglutide, which is said to have been withdrawn from NHS programs.
Independent reports that the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said 310 packs: 76% of patients with new doses have been purchased. The material also notes that 49% of patients were said to have reported that the MHRA had withdrawn the red prescription.
NPA chief Olivier Picard, quoted by Independent, said that the tablets are being withdrawn from the market because patients cannot or do not want to take them.
Independent also reported that 97% of patients, according to the association’s assessment, were concerned that the medicine could be withdrawn from the market. NPA, for its part, said that patients are allowed to take the tablets through NHS regulations.
BBC also provided information on the criteria for prescribing: Wegovy tablets are available for people with a BMI of 30 or higher (with certain exceptions) or a BMI of 27-30 (with additional weight-related conditions) who have either type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. The material also states that for the prescription, the treatment is only available in the form of tablets.