Commenting on the MHRA's announcement that they are licensing a Wegovy pill for use in the UK, Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association said:
"This is a very significant announcement that will have a major impact on people trying to achieve a healthy weight through weight loss treatment.
"This is particularly significant for patients who cannot or do not want to take an injectable medicine and may also bring down the cost of treatment in the long run.
"Pharmacies are awaiting further guidance about when this treatment will be available for patients.
"However, we are concerned about a growing black market for counterfeit weight loss treatments, with a tablet form of medication potentially easier for criminals to counterfeit
"Patients must only ever obtain weight loss medication, properly prescribed and dispensed by a regulated pharmacy. Unregulated providers may be selling faked medicines or medicines that do not meet the strict safety standards we have in the UK."
