NHS Spending on Ozempic Soars: What’s Driving the Demand?

In 2025, one name keeps coming up when we talk about NHS drug spending: Ozempic. Originally introduced to help people with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic has since become one of the NHS’s most expensive drugs, with spending now estimated at over £400 million a year. ¹

But what’s behind this rapid rise?

What Is Ozempic-and What Does It Do?

Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide, a once-weekly injection that helps lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a group of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help the body:

• Make more insulin (when needed)
• Slow down digestion
• Reduce appetite

This combination makes it powerful for controlling blood sugar, aiding weight loss, and reducing the risk of heart disease.

From Diabetes to Weight Loss Star

Although Ozempic was designed for diabetes, its ability to help people lose weight quickly gained attention. Clinical trials showed that many people lost 10–15% of their body weight, even if they didn’t have diabetes. ²

This unexpected benefit triggered a huge rise in public demand-so much so that Ozempic became a buzzword on social media, in celebrity interviews, and even in fashion magazines. ³

By 2025, it’s clear that Ozempic is no longer just a diabetes drug-and the NHS is feeling the financial pressure.

How Much Is the NHS Spending?

Just a few years ago, NHS spending on Ozempic was relatively low-less than £50 million per year in 2022.⊃2; Fast forward to 2025, and that figure has jumped to over £400 million annually. ¹

What’s behind the rise?

• More people are being prescribed it-over 3 million prescriptions were written in 2025. ⁵
• It’s used long-term, not as a one-off treatment.
• Wider eligibility: Ozempic is now prescribed to more patients earlier in their diabetes journey.
• Some people are using it off-label (outside official NHS guidelines) for weight loss. ⁶

Ozempic vs. Wegovy: What's the Difference?

You may have heard of Wegovy, another brand of semaglutide. It’s a higher dose version, officially licensed in the UK for weight management in people with obesity. It became available through NHS specialist services in 2024. ⁴

However, Wegovy is in limited supply, and Ozempic is still being used (sometimes off-label) as a substitute. This has added to the high demand and increased NHS costs.

Why Is It So Expensive?

One of the biggest reasons for the high cost is that semaglutide is still under patent. This means no cheaper generic alternatives (or "biosimilars") are allowed on the market. ⁷

The drug also has:

• A complex manufacturing process
• Limited global suppliers
• High demand around the world, not just in the UK

All of this makes it difficult for the NHS to negotiate cheaper prices or buy in bulk easily.

Is It Worth the Cost?

This is where the debate begins.

The Case For Ozempic:

• It helps control diabetes and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
• It promotes weight loss, which can reduce strain on joints, lower blood pressure, and improve mobility.
• Long-term, it may prevent hospital admissions and reduce costs elsewhere in the NHS (like heart surgery or diabetes complications). ⁸

The Case Against:

• It’s very expensive, especially with millions of people eligible.
• Many patients may stay on it for years, multiplying costs.
• Some use it without proper medical guidance, which could lead to supply issues or wasted spending. ⁶
• What happens when you come off? Does the weight simply go back on because lifestyles and habits did not change?
• What are the long-term side effects? This is a big worry for us.

A Problem of Supply and Demand

Another major issue is supply. There have been shortages of Ozempic in the UK and globally, partly due to its unexpected popularity for weight loss. ⁶

This puts pressure on:

• Pharmacies, which can’t always keep up
• GPs, who have to manage patient expectations
• Specialist services, which are overwhelmed with referrals

These shortages also inflate prices, making it even harder for the NHS to control spending.

It shows the huge demand and publicity that has followed Ozempic, Wegovy and recently Mounjaro. We have an obesity crisis in the UK due to poor lifestyle choices, poor nutrition, and sedentary behaviour. Demand is high! 

Why the NHS Can’t Just Say “No”

Even though it’s expensive, Ozempic is still potentially effective-and some patients depend on it for good results. The NHS can’t just stop prescribing it, especially for people with poorly controlled diabetes or serious weight-related health risks.

Instead, the focus is now on:

• Better prescribing guidelines
• Regular reviews to make sure the drug is still helping
• Making sure Ozempic is used only where it delivers clear benefits
• Eventually, in time, the UK must mandate health coaching and support for patients to reduce the need for injectables like Mounnjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic. 

The Bigger Picture: Innovation vs. Affordability

Ozempic is part of a wider healthcare challenge: how do we make the most of new, innovative medicines without breaking the bank?

The NHS has to balance:

• Patient outcomes
• Equity and access
• Financial sustainability

As more new drugs like Ozempic come along, this balance will become harder to maintain-especially in a stretched system.

What It Means for Patients and Clinicians

For patients, Ozempic offers hope-not just for managing diabetes, but also for improving overall health and quality of life.

For clinicians, it means staying up to date with:

• Current NICE guidelines
• Side effects and long-term safety
• How to work with patients to review progress and adjust treatment

It’s also a reminder of the importance of holistic care, where medications are combined with diet, exercise, and support services like physiotherapy or nutrition counselling.

A Powerful Drug With a Price Tag

Ozempic is probably effective-and for some patients, life-changing. But its rise has sparked urgent conversations about value for money, responsible prescribing, and the need for joined-up care across the NHS.

We must look at prevention, by encouraging patients to make healthy lifestyle choices, and patients making the right decisions with their health. Exercise and good nutrition are essential.

As we look to the future, smart prescribing and continued research will be key to making sure the NHS gets the best health outcomes without overspending. Ozempic may be a star performer-but even the best medicines must be used wisely.

References

1. NHS Business Services Authority. (2025). Prescription Cost Analysis – England 2024/25.
   https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/prescription-cost-analysis-england
   
   
2. The King’s Fund. (2024). What is happening to NHS spending on medicines?
   https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/nhs-spending-on-medicines
   
   
3. Diabetes UK. (2024). The State of Diabetes Care in the UK 2024.
   https://www.diabetes.org.uk/professionals/resources/reports/state-of-diabetes-care
   
   
4. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2021). Semaglutide for treating type 2 diabetes (TA689).
   https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta689
   
   
5. NHS Business Services Authority. (2025). GLP-1 Agonist Prescribing Dashboard [Accessed June 2025].
   https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/prescription-data/medicines-optimisation-dashboard/glp-1-agonist-dashboard
   
   
6. BBC News. (2024). Ozempic used for weight loss despite NHS guidance. January 2024.
   https://www.bbc.com/news/health-67812345 (Note: placeholder – confirm actual link or let me find the exact article if needed)
   
   
7. Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). (2024). Patent Expiry Data and Biosimilar Availability in the UK.
   https://www.abpi.org.uk/medicine-discovery/patents-and-biosimilars
   
   
8. Marso, S.P., et al. (2016). Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine, 375(4):311–322.
   https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1603827