Well, we think we have Wegovy as the manufacturer Novo Nordisk announced the release of this semaglutide product to the UK this morning, 4 September.
As you probably know from the press, doctors have been forbidden to prescribe the previous semaglutide products, Ozempic and Rybelsus, for weight loss, but are able to do so for the treatment of diabetes – if available, which it isn’t in meaningful quantities.
The new semaglutide (exactly the same) product, now called Wegovy, is licensed by the FDA in the US and approved by NICE in the UK for use in weight loss.
Apparently the majority of Wegovy production is being diverted by the Danish manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, to the US where huge prices are being paid ($1500 per month has been quoted).
IF we can obtain Wegovy in reasonable quantities, our charge would be the same as that for Ozempic at the lower doses of 0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1mg (each at £200 per month). For the high Wegovy dose of 2.4mg, we would charge £450 per month – should we be lucky enough to get any at all!
A patient has told me that semaglutide at present is representing 56% of Danish GDP.
Richard Petty
