Wegovy privé — what private access to semaglutide actually looks like in the UK

You've found a price, but the process starts before that

Imagine this: you've done your research, you may have seen Wegovy prescribed to a friend or family member, and you want to know whether you can access it privately without a long GP referral. That's the situation most people searching "wegovy prive" are in, and our Wegovy privés guide covers exactly what private access involves from start to finish. A legitimate private prescription for Wegovy must include a clinical assessment, a prescriber reviews your medical history, your current weight, any conditions you have, and any medicines you're already taking. Without that, no reputable pharmacy will dispense it.

At nume, that review happens the same day. A GPhC-registered Independent Prescriber reads your consultation (a real clinician, not automated software) and makes the decision. If approved, treatment is dispatched the same working day for next-day delivery. The reason this matters for cost comparisons is straightforward: some headline prices you'll find online don't include the clinical assessment, the prescription fee, or aftercare. Worth checking what's actually bundled in before you compare figures, and our Wegovy pricing guide breaks down exactly what each component typically costs in the UK.

Semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) is described in detail on the semaglutide information page if you want to understand the mechanism before your consultation.

What the UK licence for Wegovy actually covers

Wegovy was licensed in the UK for weight management in adults. The standard eligibility criteria, set out in the product's prescribing information, are a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI of 27 to 29.9 with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or obstructive sleep apnoea. Lower BMI thresholds apply for some ethnic backgrounds under UK clinical guidance, typically 2.5 kg/m² below the standard figures.

In April 2026, the MHRA approved a dedicated single-dose 7.2mg Wegovy pen for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, the highest maintenance dose now available in the UK. Trials reported an average of around 20.7% weight loss over 72 weeks at 7.2mg, approaching the results seen with tirzepatide 15mg in the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head. The titration schedule still starts at a lower dose and steps up at intervals set by the prescriber; 7.2mg is the ceiling, not the starting point.

Wegovy is not licensed for people under 18, and it is not recommended during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or when trying to conceive. Anyone with a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 syndrome should discuss their situation with a clinician before considering any GLP-1 medicine. The NHS semaglutide medicines page is a reliable first reference for the full contraindications list.

NHS vs private: the honest comparison

NICE recommended semaglutide (Wegovy) for use on the NHS in 2023, under guidance TA875. The NHS route, however, requires access through a specialist weight management service, and waiting times in many areas are considerable. The NICE appraisal of Wegovy is worth reading if you want to understand what the NHS criteria actually say, including the maximum two-year treatment duration that applies on the NHS, and the multidisciplinary support requirement.

Private access doesn't carry the same service-structure requirement, but it does still require a legitimate prescription. If you want a full breakdown of what private treatment involves, our Wegovy information page covers eligibility, dosing, and what to expect from the process. The honest framing: private treatment through a regulated pharmacy costs more than an NHS prescription would, but offers a faster route for people who meet clinical criteria and don't want to wait.

Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine under UK law. That category exists for clinical reasons, not administrative ones, the side-effect profile, the contraindications, and the titration process all require professional oversight. Sellers offering it without a prescription, or at prices far below market rate, are a warning sign. Any online pharmacy can be checked against the GPhC register at pharmacyregulation.org in under a minute; it's a quick check that takes less time than reading this page.

What to bring to a private Wegovy consultation

A good consultation goes faster when you're prepared. You'll typically need to provide an up-to-date weight and height (live video weight verification is part of the process at nume), a list of current medications, and details of any relevant conditions. Photo ID is required for identity verification. If you've previously been on a GLP-1 medicine and are switching, or if you've already been prescribed a dose higher than the starter, you'll need to show evidence of your current treatment, this is standard clinical practice, not bureaucracy for its own sake.

Once a prescriber has reviewed your case and approved treatment, the administration guide for Wegovy covers the practical side: where to inject, how to handle the pen, and what to do if a dose is missed. That's a question for the Patient Information Leaflet and your prescriber, not something to work out from a forum. The GI side effects (nausea, loose stools, fatigue) are most common in the first few weeks and usually ease as your system adjusts. If something feels serious or persistent, your prescribing team is the right first call, and the Yellow Card scheme exists for formal reporting.

If you want to understand how Wegovy sits alongside the other licensed options, including information on staying active during treatment, the Wegovy Active page lays out the full picture clearly.