Demand for the UK's newly available prescription Wegovy weight loss pills has skyrocketed, with one online pharmacy reporting a record surge in consultation requests just as the medication becomes available to qualifying customers.
Record Demand for Weight Loss Pills
From July 6, eligible customers across the UK can purchase prescription weight loss tablets following approval by the UK's medicines regulator last month. Online pharmacy Chemist4U says it has already seen 10 times more requests for consultations for the new tablets than it received for weight loss injections over the same period following approval, showing a huge interest from people looking for an alternative to injectable drugs.
James O'Loan, CEO and Founder of Chemist4U, said: "Today marks the next step in how we treat obesity in this country. We have seen record demand since the MHRA's approval of weight loss pills earlier this month, and we're pleased that we can now get life-changing medications in the hands of those that are eligible."
Why Tablets Are Gaining Popularity
James added: "Weight loss tablets could change far more than how GLP-1 treatments are taken. They could change who feels comfortable accessing them in the first place. For millions of people put off by injections, tablets may finally make clinically proven weight loss treatment feel like a realistic option."
He explained: "Remarkably, we have seen ten times more enquiries for consultations related to Wegovy pills than injections in this timeframe, demonstrating that this innovation is set to increase the scale at which we can treat obesity in this country."
The surge in demand reflects growing interest in tablet-based weight loss treatments, with previous research from Chemist4U finding that 30 per cent of people believe tablets would make prescription weight loss treatment feel more 'normal' or mainstream than injections.
How to Book a Consultation
Before people can receive the medication, they must complete a consultation with a healthcare professional to determine whether the treatment is appropriate and safe. These consultations can be booked online or in person through pharmacies, with several online and high street providers expected to have stock available.
Online pharmacies, including Chemist4U, allow eligible people to complete a consultation through its website. During the assessment, customers will be asked questions about their weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), medical history and any existing health conditions. A healthcare professional will then review the information before deciding whether the medication is suitable to prescribe.
Who Is Eligible?
The eligibility criteria for weight loss pills is very similar to those already in place for prescription weight loss injections. The tablets are available to adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or to adults who have a BMI between 27 and 40 if they have a weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
The medication is currently only available through private prescription. It is not yet available on the NHS, and there is currently no confirmed date for when this could change.
