How to prescribe Wegovy: what the process looks like in the UK

Who actually has the legal authority to prescribe Wegovy?

In the UK, a medicine can only be prescribed by someone with the right professional authority. For Wegovy, that means a doctor (including a GP), a nurse independent prescriber, or a pharmacist independent prescriber registered with either the GMC, NMC, or GPhC. The prescriber must assess whether the patient meets the licensed criteria before a prescription can lawfully be issued. No algorithm, chatbot or automated system can replace that step. Our clinical team at nume includes GPhC-registered Independent Prescribers who personally review every consultation, the same day it's submitted.

It is worth being clear about what this means in practice. A prescription for Wegovy is not a formality that follows a quick form-fill; it is a clinical decision based on your BMI, your health history, any medicines you already take, and whether the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks for you specifically. The licensed criteria (set out in the Wegovy SmPC and reflected in NICE's appraisal of semaglutide (TA875)) exist precisely because this is a medicine with real effects and real contraindications.

Wegovy holds a Black Triangle (▼) designation from the MHRA, which means it is subject to additional monitoring. That is normal for newer medicines and not a reason for concern, but it does mean prescribers are expected to follow the evidence closely and report unexpected effects.

Does a GP prescribe Wegovy, or does it have to come from a specialist?

On the NHS, Wegovy is currently commissioned through specialist weight management services under NICE TA875, so a GP cannot simply write a prescription on the spot. Your GP can refer you, but the prescription itself is typically issued by a specialist team. This is one reason NHS waiting times for Wegovy can stretch considerably. You can read more about whether a GP can prescribe Wegovy and what the referral route looks like.

Privately, the picture is different. A pharmacist independent prescriber or a doctor working in a regulated private service can prescribe Wegovy directly, provided they carry out a full clinical assessment and the patient meets the licensed eligibility criteria. From April 2026, GP practices in England can prescribe tirzepatide under a new QOF arrangement, but semaglutide's NHS prescribing route remains specialist-led for now. The NHS prescribing situation for Wegovy is explained in more detail if you want to weigh up your options.

The NHS medicines page for semaglutide gives a clear overview of how the medicine works and what to expect from treatment, useful reading before any consultation, NHS or private.

What does a prescriber check before issuing a Wegovy prescription?

A responsible prescribing process covers several areas, and cutting corners on any of them is a red flag. Before prescribing Wegovy, a clinician is expected to confirm your identity, verify your current weight and height, review your medical and medication history, and check for contraindications. These include a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2, active or previous pancreatitis, and pregnancy or intention to become pregnant. Wegovy is not licensed for use in under-18s, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding.

A prescriber will also consider whether any medicines you take could interact with semaglutide. Women using oral contraceptives who are also starting tirzepatide (a different GLP-1 medicine) need specific guidance about absorption; for semaglutide specifically, NHS guidance does not currently flag the same oral-contraceptive interaction, but this is a conversation worth having. The full process for being prescribed Wegovy covers what you'll typically be asked and why.

Dose verification matters too. Prescribers should not increase a dose without evidence that the previous dose was tolerated, and they are responsible for reviewing whether treatment is producing a clinically meaningful result. NICE guidance notes that if fewer than 5% of body weight is lost after six months at the maintenance dose, the prescriber should review whether to continue.

How does online prescribing for Wegovy work, and is it the same standard?

Prescribing Wegovy online through a GPhC-registered pharmacy follows the same clinical and legal rules as an in-person consultation. The difference is the format, not the standard. At nume, the process involves a structured health questionnaire, photo-ID verification, live weight verification on video, and a GP notification step in line with GPhC guidance, before a prescriber reviews anything. There are no shortcuts built into that pathway, and there are no auto-renewals; every repeat order goes through a fresh clinical review.

The online prescribing route for Wegovy is worth understanding in detail, particularly if you are switching from another provider or requesting a dose increase, because evidence requirements apply in both cases. If you have questions about how to get prescribed Wegovy through a private service, our prescribers are available seven days a week. Cost is a real consideration too, what Wegovy costs privately in the UK is something we explain plainly, including what a legitimate price covers. When you're ready, you can check your eligibility with our prescribers through a free consultation.