UK regulator ensuring medicines and devices are safe and effective
Weight-loss GLP-1 drugs are expanding beyond injections to pills in the US, UK and UAE. Major manufacturers report rising uptake and ongoing development, with Medicare and NHS access shaping pace and affordability. Private prescriptions and new formulations are widening access while competition accelerates.
A new weight‑loss pill version of semaglutide has launched in the UK for private prescriptions, offering an alternative to injections. The tablet requires strict dosing and a fasting routine and is not yet NHS‑funded. Several outlets warn about counterfeit pills as access broadens.
Vivani Medical and Novo Nordisk are exploring a long-acting semaglutide implant to maintain weight loss, potentially replacing frequent injections. The device aims to release medicine steadily for months, pending clinical and regulatory validation.