What BMI do you need for a Wegovy prescription in the UK?

Does my BMI alone qualify me for a Wegovy prescription?

A BMI of 30 or above satisfies the first eligibility criterion set out in Wegovy's UK licence. If your BMI sits between 27 and 29.9, you can still be considered, but only if you have at least one weight-related condition alongside it. Conditions that typically count include type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnoea and cardiovascular disease, though the full list is a matter for the prescriber.

The NHS's overview of semaglutide confirms this dual-threshold structure. It is worth being aware that the thresholds can sit 2.5 kg/m² lower for people from certain ethnic backgrounds under UK clinical guidance, so 27.5 instead of 30, or 24.5 instead of 27, where a health condition is present.

What BMI cannot do is confirm suitability on its own. A prescriber also needs to know about your medical history, any conditions that contraindicate semaglutide (such as a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or pancreatitis), and any medicines you already take. The number on a BMI calculator opens the door; the clinical review decides whether you walk through it. You can check your own figure using the NHS BMI calculator before starting a consultation.

How does the NHS threshold differ from the private one?

The NHS pathway for Wegovy is governed by NICE technology appraisal TA875, which sets considerably narrower criteria than the licensed thresholds used on the private route. Under NICE's recommendation, Wegovy may be prescribed on the NHS only within a specialist weight management service, only for a maximum of two years, and generally only for adults with a BMI of 35 or above who also have at least one weight-related comorbidity. The lower ethnic-background threshold applies here too, typically 32.5 instead of 35 for the groups mentioned above.

NHS waiting lists for specialist services are long in most parts of England. If you do not meet the NHS criteria yet, or would prefer not to wait, the private route uses the broader licensed thresholds (BMI 30 or above, or 27 with a condition), and a regulated online pharmacy can reach you far sooner. Our page on how to get a Wegovy prescription walks through what that process looks like from start to finish.

One practical difference worth knowing: on the NHS, treatment continuation is formally reviewed at six months. If less than 5% body weight has been lost by that point on the maintenance dose, clinical guidance suggests reconsidering whether to continue. The same clinical logic applies in private practice, though the review sits with your prescribing service rather than an NHS framework.

What happens after the BMI check, how does the clinical review work?

Assuming your BMI meets the threshold, a prescriber will look at the broader picture. At nume, every consultation is read by a GPhC-registered Independent Prescriber (a real clinician, not an automated system) on the day you submit it. Alongside your BMI you will be asked about relevant medical history, current medicines and any symptoms that could indicate conditions where semaglutide is not recommended.

Identity and weight are verified; transfer patients from another service provide evidence of their current treatment. If you are wondering whether you need a prescription for Wegovy and what that requirement means in practice, our dedicated page covers the rules clearly. For anyone interested in what the transparent cost of private treatment covers (consultation, prescription, aftercare and delivery) our Wegovy cost breakdown sets out the full picture without hidden fees.

Once approved, the pen is dispensed the same day for orders placed before 12pm Monday to Friday and sent out with DPD for tracked next-working-day delivery. It arrives in plain, unbranded packaging, discreet enough that the only thing distinguishing the box from any other delivery is the DPD tracking notification on your phone. Storage from the moment it arrives is straightforward: the pen goes straight into the fridge at 2 to 8°C, and the Patient Information Leaflet inside sets out any room-temperature window should you need it when travelling.

If you are still unsure whether your BMI and health history would qualify, our FAQs cover the most common eligibility questions, and you can always reach the team through our support page before committing to a full consultation.

What if your BMI is just below the threshold?

This is one of the questions our prescribers hear regularly. A BMI of 29.5 does not automatically mean treatment is ruled out, it depends on whether a qualifying weight-related condition is present. High blood pressure, for example, is common and often documented already in your GP records. If a condition like that is confirmed, the 27 lower threshold becomes the relevant figure, and 29.5 sits comfortably above it.

It is also worth bearing in mind that BMI has recognised limitations as a sole measure of health risk. Prescribers consider the full clinical context, not just a single number. That said, if your BMI is genuinely below 27 with no relevant comorbidities, Wegovy's UK licence does not support prescribing, and a responsible service will not do so. On what that means for your options, our page on non-prescription weight-loss routes covers the alternatives that do not require semaglutide.

If you are close to the threshold and want a clear answer, the most direct route is a free consultation. Our Wegovy prescription page explains exactly what the process involves, so you know what to expect before you begin. Visit our weight-loss treatments page to get started.