How much does Ozempic cost in the UK?

The cost of Ozempic in the UK depends on whether it’s prescribed to you on the NHS or you access it privately. Prices vary based on the supplier, dosage, and how the medication is obtained.

In this guide, we outline:

✓ typical Ozempic price ranges

✓ what affects these costs

✓ how they compare with semaglutide treatments such as Wegovy

✓ the cheaper alternatives available for medically supported weight loss

Dr Kathryn Basford

Medically reviewed by

Dr Kathryn Basford

Last reviewed: 03 Feb 2026

How much does Ozempic cost on the NHS?

If you are prescribed Ozempic on the NHS, you should be able to get this for free. If you live in England, you are entitled to a medical exemption certificate for prescriptions if you have diabetes that requires medical treatment (not controlled by diet). If you do not apply for a medical exemption certificate, the prescription cost for one medication is £9.90 if you live in England.

NHS prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Some people living in England also qualify for free prescriptions based on age, income, or certain long-term conditions, including diabetes.

The amount you pay does not change based on dose strength, meaning a 1mg pen costs the same as a 0.25mg pen when prescribed on the NHS.

➤ Ozempic is only prescribed on the NHS for people with type 2 diabetes.

How much does Ozempic cost privately?

When Ozempic is bought privately, the price is set by private clinics and licensed pharmacies.

Publicly advertised prices show that Ozempic typically costs £130 to £200 per month. Unlike NHS prescriptions, private pricing usually increases as the dose increases and includes consultation and service fees. This can make long-term treatment more expensive to budget for.

➤ This price range is an estimate based on publicly available private pricing and does not reflect all UK pricing.

What affects the private price of Ozempic?

Several factors influence how much you might pay when accessing Ozempic privately. These include:

Dose and titration

Ozempic is injected once weekly, and one pen usually contains four doses. Lower starting doses are often priced at the lower end of the private range, while higher maintenance doses tend to cost more.

Across UK providers, lower doses are commonly priced at around £130 to £150 per month, while higher doses can reach £180 to £200 per month.

Provider type

Private Ozempic prices vary between online clinics, private medical practices and licensed pharmacies. Each provider sets fees based on how consultations are delivered and the level of clinical oversight included.

As a result, the monthly cost of Ozempic can differ even when the same dose is prescribed.

What’s included in the price?

Some private prices include additional services beyond the medication itself, such as:

  • clinician consultations
  • secure messaging support
  • prescription reviews or renewals
  • progress monitoring or follow-up care
  • delivery or subscription services

These service bundles can significantly influence overall monthly cost, which is why pricing varies so much between providers, including online pharmacies.

How Wegovy pricing compares to Ozempic

Wegovy is the only injectable semaglutide medicine licensed in the UK for weight loss. It can also be prescribed on the NHS through specialist weight management services for people who meet specific clinical criteria. It is either free or costs £9.90 if you normally pay for prescriptions.

The key difference comes with private pricing. At lower doses, private Wegovy prices are often similar to private Ozempic prices (£130 to £200). At higher maintenance doses, Wegovy can become more expensive because it is supplied at strengths that Ozempic does not offer (e.g. 1.7mg and 2.4mg).

Wegovy costs for the highest dose often exceed £200 at private clinics and online pharmacies, though the price varies based on the provider. Here are the prices for Wegovy at ZAVA:

Pack Size Price
Wegovy 0.25 mg - 4 week - 1 pen £99.99
Wegovy 0.5 mg - 4 week - 1 pen £119.99
Wegovy 1 mg - 4 week - 1 pen £149.99
Wegovy 1.7 mg - 4 week - 1 pen £168.99
Wegovy 2.4 mg - 4 week - 1 pen £189.99
Wegovy 7.2 mg - 4 week - 4 single-use pens £259.99
Wegovy 0.25 & 0.5 mg - 8 week - 2 pens (treatment pack) £209.99
Wegovy 0.25, 0.5 & 1 mg - 12 week - 3 pens (treatment pack) £319.99

*Prices shown are ZAVA private prices and include consultation, prescribing, and ongoing clinical support.

Learn more about the differences between Ozempic and Wegovy in our guide: Ozempic vs Wegovy.

Are there cheaper alternatives to Ozempic for weight loss?

Ozempic should only be prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. For weight loss, Wegovy contains the same active ingredient (semaglutide) but comes in different doses and is licensed for this use in the UK.

There are several licensed weight loss medicines that are cheaper than treatments like Wegovy. Suitability depends on your medical history, body mass index (BMI), and treatment goals.

The table below shows prices of different weight loss treatments.

Medication Active ingredient/mechanism Typical monthly cost*
Mysimba naltrexone + bupropion – works on areas of the brain involved in appetite and food cravings, helping reduce hunger and control eating behaviour £99 per month (based on 8mg/90mg - 112 tablet(s)
Xenical orlistat – reduces the amount of fat absorbed from food by blocking digestive enzymes in the gut £59.95 per month (based on an 84-capsule pack of 120mg tablets)
Generic orlistat orlistat – works in the same way as Xenical by limiting fat absorption during digestion £45 per month (based on an 84-capsule pack of 120mg tablets)

*Figures here are based on ZAVA’s pricing as of December 2025.

Explore all options through our weight loss treatment service.

Learn more about alternatives to Ozempic for weight loss.

How to get Ozempic safely in the UK

Ozempic is licensed in the UK only for treating type 2 diabetes and must be prescribed by a doctor for this condition. Some private doctors may still prescribe Ozempic off-label if they believe it could be beneficial for you (for example, if you have type 2 diabetes but don’t quite meet the criteria for getting it prescribed on the NHS).

To reduce the risk, always use registered prescribers and licensed UK pharmacies. Medicines sold through social media or informal sellers may be unsafe or counterfeit. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned about fake weight loss pens circulating in the UK.

“We know that the cost of medicines and ease of access can influence the decisions people make. However, weight loss injections bought through social media or unregulated sellers can be counterfeit, incorrectly stored, or contain the wrong dose. This can increase the risk of side effects or serious harm. Using a regulated service means you receive proper medical checks, the correct medicine, and ongoing clinical support, which is essential for your safety.”

Dr Kathryn Basford
Dr Kathryn Basford Accreditations: MB, ChB, MPH

For weight management, licensed alternatives such as Wegovy are recommended instead. You can read more about eligibility for type 2 diabetes with Ozempic in our guide to Ozempic on the NHS.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Ozempic cost per month?

With an NHS prescription, Ozempic is either free or costs £9.90 per month if you normally pay for prescriptions. If you have diabetes and require medication to control your blood sugars, you are entitled to a medical exemption certificate for prescriptions. However, the monthly cost is much higher when bought privately. An analysis by one private practice suggests that Ozempic typically costs £130 to £200 per month when purchased privately.

How much is a 30-day supply of Ozempic?

Because one pen contains around four weekly doses, a 30-day supply usually costs the same as one pen. This means £9.90 per prescription on the NHS, or £130 to £200 per month when prescribed privately, depending on dose and provider.

How do you qualify for an Ozempic prescription?

In the UK, Ozempic is prescribed on the NHS only for type 2 diabetes after a clinical assessment by a GP or specialist. You typically need a confirmed diagnosis and evidence that other standard treatments have not achieved your blood sugar targets.

Can you get a discount on Ozempic?

If Ozempic is prescribed for type 2 diabetes on the NHS, you would be eligible for a medical exemption certificate, which means you would receive your prescriptions for free. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, NHS prescriptions are typically free.

For private prescriptions, some clinics or services may offer introductory discounts or reduced fees on consultations or the first month of treatment. These offers can lower your upfront cost but do not change the price of the medicine itself and vary between providers.

Why do private providers charge different prices?

Private Ozempic prices vary because of differences in:

  • the costs of the pharmacy preparing your medicine
  • follow-up checks
  • what kind of support the clinic includes in the price

These factors can significantly influence total monthly cost. Some clinics bundle coaching or follow-up checks into their price, while others charge separately.

Medically reviewed by

dr-kathryn-basford.png Dr Kathryn Basford

Dr Kathryn Basford is a GP based in London. She graduated from the University of Manchester and completed her GP training through Whipps Cross Hospital in London. Outside of work she enjoys baking and keeping active, running marathons, swimming, and triathlons.

Last reviewed: 03 Feb 2026

Sources

Ozempic cost in the UK: pricing, coverage and savings, Harley Street Skin Clinic [accessed 03 December 2025]

How much does Ozempic cost in the UK?, Dr Frank’s Clinic [accessed 03 December 2025]

Information about semaglutide: price, NICE [accessed 03 December 2025]

Semaglutide: medicinal forms, BNF [accessed 03 December 2025]

Understanding medicine for type 2 diabetes, NHS [accessed 15 December 2025]

Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity, NICE [accessed 15 December 2025]

Further reading on weight loss

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