NHS to Offer Weight-Loss Drug Wegovy to Over a Million Heart Disease Patients
More than 1.2 million people in England with cardiovascular disease are to be offered the weight-loss drug semaglutide — sold under the brand name Wegovy — on the NHS, following approval by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) that the treatment can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 20%.
The drug, a weekly injectable treatment, will be available from summer 2026 to patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 or higher who have a history of heart attack, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease. It will be prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and existing cardiovascular medications such as statins.
Background
Semaglutide is already available on the NHS in England for obesity through specialist weight management services, and under the brand name Ozempic for type 2 diabetes. The new NICE recommendation significantly expands its use to a cardiovascular prevention role — a major shift in how the drug is deployed within the health service.
Clinical evidence from the SELECT trial, involving over 17,600 participants, demonstrated that semaglutide reduced the risk of serious cardiovascular events — including heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death — by 20% compared to a placebo. Crucially, this benefit was observed early in the trial, even before significant weight loss occurred, suggesting the drug has direct effects on the heart and blood vessels.
Key Developments
Helen Williams, National Clinical Director for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at NHS England, said the treatment could be "life-changing" for over a million people at high risk, helping to prevent future major cardiovascular events and offering a chance at a longer, healthier life.
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan of the British Heart Foundation stated that weight-loss drugs are now considered important for preventing deadly heart attacks and strokes, with benefits extending beyond just reducing weight. Health Minister Sharon Hodgson called the drug a "game changer" and a "lifesaver" for those with cardiovascular disease.
Why It Matters
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United Kingdom. Expanding access to a treatment that demonstrably reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes could prevent tens of thousands of deaths and hospitalisations each year, easing pressure on the NHS and improving quality of life for patients and their families.
What's Next
While the NICE recommendation is currently in draft form, NHS England officials anticipate the drug will be accessible to the newly eligible group within months. Experts have raised questions about the NHS's capacity to deliver the treatment at scale, and about the need to ensure equitable access across all regions of England to avoid a postcode lottery.
Full details are available at NHS England.
