Key Summary
- The new oral weight loss pill has been launched by Boots online, with the service starting from £79 for new customers.
- Boots said that thousands had already completed consultations to receive the new oral medication.
- In-store services will launch in 62 Boots stores from 12 July.
The new oral Wegovy weight loss pill is available through Boots Online Doctor. Eligible customers are able to collect their medication in-store or choose home delivery, subject to clinical assessment.
Boots has said they saw strong interest ahead of the launch, with thousands of customers completing baseline consultations to secure the medication.
Notably, nearly two-thirds of those who completed the process will be accessing clinical weight loss treatment at Boots for the first time.
Customers will be able to access the oral Wegovy treatment in Boots stores from 12 July.
The in-store weight loss service is initially available in 62 stores across the UK, with an additional 25 locations slated to roll out nationwide in the coming weeks.
Boots has also introduced dedicated "weight loss journey support spaces" in 70 stores, featuring a curated range of health, wellness, and beauty products designed to help patients manage the common side effects and physical changes associated with weight loss.
Wegovy is the first GLP-1 pill available to UK customers for weight management following the MHRA’s approval last month.
The new daily tablet offers a treatment option for a broader demographic of patients who prefer oral medication over weekly self-injections.
Alongside the medication, patients will have access to a suite of wrap-around resources on the Boots Online Doctor platform.
This includes a free 10-week weight loss programme focused on sustainable lifestyle and behavioural changes, digital progress tracking via an app, and a comprehensive 12-month after-care programme to support transitioning off the medication.
Jamie Kerruish, Chief Healthcare Officer at Boots, said: “Our offering seeks to ensure customers have everything they need to make long-lasting sustainable changes that can improve their health outcomes.”
Dr. Anju Verma, Clinical Lead for Weight Loss at Boots Online Doctor said: "Having an effective oral treatment available gives customers and healthcare professionals greater choice when considering the most appropriate treatment approach. Weight management is not one-size-fits-all, and expanding the range of clinically proven options at different price points allows treatment decisions to be tailored more closely to an individual's preferences, lifestyle and clinical needs.
"It's important to remember that weight loss medications are not a quick fix. Whether taken as a pill or an injection, the best outcomes are achieved when treatment is combined with healthy lifestyle changes, appropriate clinical assessment, patient education and ongoing medical supervision. Medication can be a valuable tool, but it works best as part of a broader, long-term approach to weight management.”
Just like its injectable counterpart, the oral Wegovy tablet contains the active ingredient semaglutide.
The pill is licensed for adults aged 18 and over who are living with obesity or are overweight with weight-related health complications.
Under current clinical guidance, treatment is indicated for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above.
It is also available to individuals with a BMI of 27 or above if they have at least one co-existing weight-related health condition, taking into account lower BMI thresholds that are clinically relevant for higher-risk ethnic groups.
The medication works by mimicking the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone to regulate appetite, increase feelings of satiety, and reduce hunger cravings. Additionally, it slows gastric emptying, helping individuals feel full for longer periods after meals.
