UK approval of Wegovy pill signals next phase of GLP-1 growth

The UK has approved its first GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet for weight loss and weight management, a move that could accelerate adoption of obesity medicines and deepen their influence on consumer food choices.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorised Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy treatment on 11 June, giving eligible adults a non-injectable alternative to weekly semaglutide injections. For food and beverage manufacturers, the approval marks another step in the expansion of GLP-1 treatments, which are increasingly associated with changes in appetite, food consumption and purchasing behaviour.

Having met the MHRA’s rigorous standards of safety, quality and effectiveness, the semaglutide tablet has been approved in the UK for weight loss and weight management.”

Julian Beach, Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access at the MHRA

As uptake of GLP-1 medicines grows, food companies have reported increasing interest in products that align with changing consumer preferences, including protein-rich, nutrient-dense and portion-controlled offerings. By removing the need for weekly injections, the new tablet could appeal to a broader group of patients and further expand use of the medicines.

Until now, UK patients seeking semaglutide for weight management could only access an injectable version. Unlike injections, the once-daily tablet does not require refrigeration, potentially making treatment more convenient for some users.

Removing the needle barrier

Semaglutide mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone released after eating. It acts on areas of the brain that regulate appetite, helping people feel fuller for longer, reducing hunger and curbing food cravings.

The approval is supported by data from the OASIS 4 Phase 3 clinical trial, which showed patients taking the highest dose lost 14–17 percent of their body weight after 64 weeks.

“Having met the MHRA’s rigorous standards of safety, quality and effectiveness, the semaglutide tablet has been approved in the UK for weight loss and weight management,” said Julian Beach, Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access at the MHRA. “As with all GLP-1 receptor agonists, this is a prescription-only medication.”

The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting. The MHRA said it will continue to monitor the medicine’s safety and effectiveness through ongoing pharmacovigilance programmes.

The treatment can be prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for adults with obesity, as well as those who are overweight and have at least one weight-related comorbidity.

Expanding obesity treatment options

Novo Nordisk said the approval could help widen access to obesity treatment in the UK, where around 15 million people live with obesity.

“This is a landmark approval, making the UK the first country in Europe to approve Wegovy® pill,” said Emil Kongshøj Larsen, executive vice president, International Operations, Novo Nordisk. “Today, around 15 million people in the UK are living with obesity, yet only a small proportion of them have access to treatment, and we hope this approval supports increasing access to obesity care in the UK. With the introduction of this option for weight management, we have an opportunity to support many more eligible patients. Most importantly, this gives patients another option — one that may fit their lives and help them reach their health goals.”

Professor Naveed Sattar, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine at the School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health at the University of Glasgow, welcomed the approval.

“The approval of the once-daily oral form of Wegovy® (semaglutide) is welcome news for people living with obesity, particularly those who would prefer not to use injections. Expanding the range of effective treatments is important in helping people sustainably reduce caloric intakes within an increasingly obesogenic environment. With obesity rates in the UK now at very high levels, and associated with substantial multimorbidity, additional treatment options for sustained weight loss are greatly needed.”

The tablets are not yet available through the NHS. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) must first evaluate the treatment before deciding whether it should be offered routinely to eligible patients, meaning access will initially be limited to private prescriptions.