1. Wegovy Prices: Branded-drug comparison across countries

Wegovy (generic name: Semaglutide) was approved by the U.S. FDA in June 2021 for chronic weight management, sparking a global weight-loss trend. Many public figures (such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk, former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and TV host Jeremy Clarkson) have publicly acknowledged using Wegovy for weight control.

Celebrity attention has driven strong consumer interest in Wegovy. This article shows reference retail prices across major markets to help you choose legal and affordable purchase channels.

Below are the monthly self-pay reference prices for branded Wegovy across markets.

Self-pay Wegovy prices (all converted to USD)

Dose	🇺🇸 United States	🇨🇳 China	🇹🇼 Taiwan	🇦🇺 Australia
0.25 mg	$1349	$140	$240	$260
0.5 mg	$1349	$160	$270	$290
1.0 mg	$1349	$160	$300	$320
1.7 mg	$1349	$240	$390	$390
2.4 mg	$1349	$240	$480	$490

Self-pay Wegovy prices (all converted to TWD)

Dose	🇺🇸 United States	🇨🇳 China	🇹🇼 Taiwan	🇦🇺 Australia
0.25 mg	$43,800	$4,600	$7,800	$8,400
0.5 mg	$43,800	$5,200	$8,800	$9,400
1.0 mg	$43,800	$5,200	$9,800	$10,400
1.7 mg	$43,800	$7,800	$12,700	$12,700
2.4 mg	$43,800	$7,800	$15,600	$15,900

Self-pay Wegovy prices (all converted to CNY)

Dose	🇺🇸 United States	🇨🇳 China	🇹🇼 Taiwan	🇦🇺 Australia
0.25 mg	¥9,580	¥990	¥1,700	¥1,850
0.5 mg	¥9,580	¥1,140	¥1,920	¥2,060
1.0 mg	¥9,580	¥1,140	¥2,130	¥2,270
1.7 mg	¥9,580	¥1,700	¥2,770	¥2,770
2.4 mg	¥9,580	¥1,700	¥3,410	¥3,480

As shown, U.S. Wegovy prices are the highest, often exceeding $1,000 per month. However, consumers can use Novo Nordisk’s direct platform NovoCare to purchase a $499/month subscription plan.

Across the Asia-Pacific region (Taiwan, China, Australia, etc.), prices are generally lower than in the U.S., but since weight-loss use is typically not reimbursed, it remains a high out-of-pocket expense and can burden long-term users.

 

2. Wegovy Prices: Insurance coverage by country

To address Wegovy’s high cost, the U.S., U.K., and Japan offer some insurance support for weight-loss use, but eligibility criteria are strict.

🇺🇸 United States: Some private plans cover it, but criteria are strict

Some private insurers cover Wegovy for weight-loss use if BMI criteria are met and prior authorization is obtained. Patient out-of-pocket cost can be as low as $25 per month. However, commercial coverage is often very restrictive and typically limited to 3–6 months, which is challenging for long-term treatment.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom: National Health Service (NHS) free prescriptions

The U.K. NHS provides Wegovy as a prescription for weight management under strict criteria. Patients must have BMI ≥ 35, or BMI 30–34.9 with other weight-related conditions (e.g., hypertension, cardiovascular disease). The criteria are stringent. Due to limited resources, only a small number of patients receive free prescriptions. Since 2023, the NHS has issued only 3,330 prescriptions.

🇯🇵 Japan: Some patients covered under National Health Insurance (NHI)

Since February 2024, Japan has included Wegovy in NHI for obesity treatment, but coverage requires strict criteria (BMI ≥ 27 with ≥ 2 obesity-related conditions, or BMI ≥ 35 with ≥ 1 condition).

 

3. How effective is Wegovy for weight loss?

According to Novo Nordisk’s large clinical trials:

• Participants using 2.4 mg Wegovy for 68 weeks lost an average of 14.9% body weight.
• The control group (diet and exercise only) lost just 2.4%.
• About one-third lost more than 20% of their body weight.
• Most felt reduced appetite and smaller portions early in treatment.

Wegovy clearly outperforms traditional weight-loss approaches and also improves glycemic and cardiovascular measures.

 

4. What is compounded Wegovy, and why you should not use it now

Between 2023 and 2024, supply shortages at Novo Nordisk caused severe stockouts of Wegovy. During that period, the U.S. market saw compounded Wegovy (compounded Semaglutide) prepared by compounding pharmacies using similar bulk ingredients. These products were often cheaper than the brand and attractive to consumers.

Under U.S. law, when a drug is on the FDA’s shortage list, qualified pharmacies (e.g., 503A pharmacies or 503B outsourcing facilities) may be temporarily allowed to compound it to bridge supply gaps. Several telehealth platforms and pharmacies offered compounded Wegovy for self-pay use at that time.

However, these compounded drugs are not authorized by the originator and do not undergo the FDA’s full approval process. They lack validated quality, dose consistency, and aseptic assurances. The FDA has also warned that some compounded products may not contain the correct ingredients and may include impurities or be counterfeit.

By 2025, as Novo Nordisk’s supply stabilized, the FDA removed Wegovy from the shortage list and formally prohibited pharmacies from compounding or selling compounded Wegovy. Pharmacies and clinics that had sold such products were required to pull them; violators face enforcement and civil actions.

For consumers, the message is clear: there is no longer any legal compounded Wegovy. If you see Wegovy sold far below market price from unknown sources, it is likely illegal and may be harmful.

 

5. Where to buy safe and affordable Wegovy? Consider generics from Bangladesh

What is a generic drug, and why is it cheaper?

A generic drug contains the same active ingredient, strength, route of administration, and therapeutic effect as the brand, but is not produced by the originator. Generics are usually cheaper and help reduce healthcare costs for patients and health systems.

In principle, there should be no Wegovy generics before 2031

Under U.S. exclusivity rules designed to protect originators’ R&D, new drugs enjoy at least 12 years of market protection. Key Wegovy patents are expected to expire around 2031, meaning other companies cannot produce Wegovy before then.

However, Bangladeshi manufacturers are permitted to produce Wegovy generics

Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest producers of generics. Under WTO TRIPS flexibilities, local manufacturers may legally produce generics even while patents remain in force elsewhere.

Leading Bangladeshi generics maintain rigorous quality:

• WHO-recognized certifications (e.g., WHO-PQ, GMP)
• Formal approval by the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA)
• Bioequivalence studies confirming efficacy equivalent to the brand

Further reading: Comprehensive look at Bangladesh’s pharma strength｜Why many new generics come from Bangladesh

Bangladesh-made Wegovy can cost one-third of the brand, or even less.

These generics often ship directly from manufacturers without multiple intermediaries, making prices transparent and reasonable for self-pay patients.

The world’s first Mounjaro generic was launched by Bangladeshi manufacturer Ziska under the brand name Semaglo OB. Ziska has produced over 100,000 doses of Wegovy generics, mainly serving patients in Bangladesh and nearby Asian countries.

6. Where to buy Wegovy? Channels for the branded drug

1) Hospitals and clinics

Wegovy is prescription-only. Endocrinology, metabolism, or weight-management clinics can evaluate eligibility and prescribe. For weight-loss use, physicians assess BMI and comorbidities and monitor treatment over time.

2) Telehealth platforms

In some telehealth-advanced countries, consumers can obtain a physician’s Wegovy prescription for weight loss and have medication delivered.

🇺🇸 United States: NovaCare

Novo Nordisk operates the U.S. platform NovaCare, providing home delivery for Wegovy. However, NovaCare itself does not provide consultations. Patients must see a partner telehealth provider to obtain a prescription before delivery.

🇨🇳 China: Taobao and JD

Patients can obtain online prescriptions through these e-commerce platforms’ health services and have medicines dispensed by partner pharmacies. Note: Taobao and JD do not support cross-border shipping; recipients must be in China.

Note: In many Asian countries (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, etc.), regulations do not allow telehealth prescriptions for Wegovy weight-loss use.

7. Where to buy Wegovy? Channels for generics

1) Cross-border purchasing platforms

Legitimate generics can be ordered via cross-border platforms such as Mediva Rx, which place orders directly with Bangladeshi manufacturers for air shipment to your door, typically within one week.

Many Asian jurisdictions (Japan, Taiwan, China, Australia, etc.) allow individuals to import small quantities of prescription medicines for personal use, usually up to a three-month supply, with resale prohibited.

For small-quantity purchases, customs often do not require a prescription or diagnosis letter, and personal medicines are typically duty-free. Regulations vary by country; see the cross-border purchasing guide for details.

When buying generics, always confirm the source is an internationally certified manufacturer, and ensure strengths match the brand to protect efficacy and safety.

2) Pharmacies in Bangladesh

Some consumers travel to pharmacies in Bangladesh to purchase in person and bring medicines home. This approach requires more time and money and is not suitable for everyone.

3) Private purchasing agents (not recommended)

Some agents bulk-buy generics from local pharmacies in Bangladesh and resell them domestically. This violates local laws and exposes consumers to risks such as expired or counterfeit drugs.

More importantly, Wegovy must be refrigerated throughout the cold chain. Prolonged time at room temperature can reduce potency or spoil the drug. Private agents often cannot guarantee proper storage and transport, so exercise caution.

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Popular FAQ

Q1: How does Wegovy work?

When we eat, the gut releases the incretin hormone GLP-1, which signals satiety to the brain, stimulates insulin release to control glucose, and curbs further appetite.

Wegovy (generic name: Semaglutide) is a long-acting GLP-1-mimicking weight-loss injection developed by Novo Nordisk (Novo Nordisk). It is injected once weekly, prolongs fullness, reduces intake, and stabilizes glucose—an effective, physician-prescribed weight-management option.

Wegovy followed Ozempic (Semaglutide for type 2 diabetes) onto the market, and with strong weight-loss trial results, many countries have since approved Wegovy for obesity and overweight.

Wegovy is now approved for weight management in multiple markets, including 🇺🇸 United States, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇪🇺 European Union, 🇹🇼 Taiwan, 🇨🇳 China, and 🇦🇺 Australia.

Q2: Why is Wegovy so expensive?

Wegovy is an innovative GLP-1 therapy developed by Novo Nordisk. End-to-end R&D costs reach into the billions of dollars, so before patents expire, the originator maintains higher pricing to recoup costs. Strong demand across obesity and diabetes and capacity constraints further elevate end-user prices.

Q3: Will Wegovy prices drop?

Large near-term price cuts are unlikely: (1) patents extend to about 2031, preserving pricing power; (2) global demand continues to rise while supply remains tight; (3) the manufacturer pursues value-based pricing and rarely cuts brand prices.

That said, new competitors and stronger payer or government negotiations could pressure prices downward over time.

Q4: What is the relationship between Wegovy and Semaglutide?

“Semaglutide” is the generic (active ingredient) name, while “Wegovy” is the Novo Nordisk brand name. They refer to the same medicine.

Q5: How do Ozempic and Wegovy differ?

Both contain Semaglutide. Ozempic is the brand for the type 2 diabetes indication, while Wegovy is the brand for obesity. Ozempic’s maximum dose is 0.5 mg, while Wegovy’s maximum dose is 2.4 mg.

Q6: Is there an oral version of Wegovy?

Yes. The oral version is Rybelsus, which also contains Semaglutide. However, Rybelsus is currently approved only for type 2 diabetes and not for weight management.

See details: Rybelsus prices and where to buy – FAQ

Q7: How is Wegovy injected? Does it hurt?

Wegovy is injected subcutaneously once weekly at the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. The needle is very fine and most users feel minimal pain. Rotate injection sites and keep a consistent weekly schedule for best results.

Q8: Are Wegovy generics less effective?

No. Generics that pass international bioequivalence testing and certification have equivalent absorption and therapeutic effects and meet safety standards.

Q9: What starting dose should I use?

Start at 0.25 mg, then titrate to 0.5 mg → 1.0 mg → 1.7 mg → 2.4 mg per physician guidance. The need for the highest dose depends on individual response.

Q10: Will weight rebound after stopping Wegovy?

If diet and exercise are not maintained after discontinuation, weight can rebound. Medication is an aid; long-term success depends on sustained habits.

 

If you have further questions about Wegovy or generic options, contact the Mediva Rx team. We provide safe, compliant, and affordable access to help you start your health journey.

Disclaimer: This information is for reference only. Follow your physician’s advice and the official label and current research when choosing therapy.

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