Overview
- The MHRA approved the oral semaglutide tablet for weight loss on June 11, clearing it for use in adults who meet GOV.UK BMI rules but leaving NHS availability subject to NICE and local commissioning decisions.
- Private providers and high‑street pharmacies report very large waiting lists and heavy pre‑order demand, with some firms saying first private prescriptions could start in July and early price estimates around £99 per month.
- Clinical trial data show the pill produces about 17 percent average body‑weight loss at its strongest dose, which is lower than the top results reported for some injectable GLP‑1 drugs.
- The tablet must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water and a strict 30‑minute wait before eating, and each pill contains far more semaglutide by milligrams than injections because much of the drug is lost in the gut.
- Experts warn that rapid uptake could pressure production and cause shortages similar to past injectable supply problems even though Novo Nordisk says supply is sufficient, a dynamic that will shape who can actually access the treatment.