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Regulator: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

GLP-1 drugs and peptides in United Kingdom

In the UK, a regulator called the MHRA decides which medicines can be sold. Several GLP-1 drugs are approved, and you need a prescription for all of them. Weight-loss versions are also sold privately through online pharmacies. Medicines that are not approved, including retatrutide, cannot legally be sold, and the MHRA has raided sites making them. Many 'peptides' sold online count as medicines under UK law and would need a licence too. It is also illegal to advertise prescription-only medicines to the public.

Last verified 2026-09-29 · how we verify

Official regulator site

GLP-1 medicines

Licensed and prescription-only: semaglutide (Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes; Wegovy for weight management, cardiovascular risk reduction, and, conditionally from July 2026, MASH; an oral Wegovy for weight management approved 11 June 2026), tirzepatide (Mounjaro, type 2 diabetes, and weight management since 8 November 2023), liraglutide (Saxenda and generics, diabetes and weight management), dulaglutide (type 2 diabetes only) and orforglipron (Foundayo, weight management and type 2 diabetes, 10 August 2026). NHS access: NICE TA1026 (tirzepatide) is being phased in across specialist services and primary care in England; TA875 limits semaglutide to specialist services for up to two years; TA664 covers liraglutide in tier 3 services. NICE evaluation of the newly licensed tablets is still to come. Private supply: GLP-1 medicines can be prescribed privately only after a consultation with a healthcare professional. The MHRA says legitimate GLP-1 medicines come as pre-filled pens or tablets, that powder in vials for mixing is not authorised, and that the only way to guarantee a genuine product is a legitimate pharmacy with a prescription. The GPhC's April 2026 review says supply at a distance should include independent verification of BMI. Safety notices: the MHRA has strengthened warnings on acute pancreatitis (January 2026) and has reported very rare cases of NAION with semaglutide (February 2026). Falsified Mounjaro pens were reported in February 2026. Unapproved incretins such as retatrutide are not authorised, and the MHRA describes their sale as illegal.

Peptides

There is no UK marketing authorisation for BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, KPV, MOTS-c, Semax, Selank, epitalon, ipamorelin, CJC-1295, sermorelin, AOD-9604, melanotan II, kisspeptin, DSIP, LL-37 or injected NAD+ that we could find; the MHRA Products register could not be queried directly on the day of checking. Legal position: under the HMR a product is a medicine by presentation or by function, so a peptide sold with claims to treat, prevent or change a body process, or one that acts pharmacologically, needs a licence before it is sold or supplied (reg 46). Selling or supplying an unauthorised medicine is an offence, and advertising it is also restricted. Compounding: unlicensed 'specials' must be made or imported under an MHRA specials licence and supplied only to meet an individual patient's special clinical need that a licensed product cannot meet (reg 167, MHRA GN14); pharmacies may also prepare a medicine for an individual prescription under a separate exemption (HMR reg 4). Neither is a route for general sale of unapproved peptides. Import: an individual importing a medicinal product for their own or their household's use is exempt from the manufacturer's licence requirement under reg 17(6), but that exemption covers neither sale to others nor the safety or quality of the product, and businesses importing unlicensed medicines need MHRA licences and must notify the MHRA. Enforcement: MHRA raids in October 2025, February 2026 and May 2026 seized unlicensed weight-loss medicines, and the MHRA says the 2026 sites are believed to have been used to make 'peptide products' as well. We could not verify from a primary source reports of a separate MHRA inquiry into peptide clinics in April 2026, so it is not relied on here. Sport: UKAD states that peptide hormones are among the substances prohibited at all times under the WADA list and that athletes are strictly liable; athletes should check each substance on Global DRO. We did not verify the listing of individual peptides.

Advertising rules

Advertising a prescription-only medicine (POM) to the public is illegal: HMR reg 284 bars any advertisement likely to lead to the use of a POM, and reg 279 bars advertising a medicine that has no authorisation. The MHRA, ASA and GPhC issued a joint updated Enforcement Notice in September 2025 telling businesses, mainly pharmacies, not to use language such as 'weight-loss injection', 'obesity treatment jab' or 'GLP-1', imagery that signals a prescription medicine, or general weight-loss ads that point to pages promoting a POM. The CAP Code, enforced by the ASA, bars advertising prescription-only medicines to the public (rule 12.12) and requires a medicine to be licensed before it is marketed (rule 12.11); the ASA applies these rules to influencer and affiliate ads and holds both parties responsible under referral schemes. The ASA's enforcement report covering February 2025 to January 2026 checked over 95,000 ads, found around 900 likely to break the rules and reported 99% compliance by January 2026. Treatment services may advertise a consultation, but must not promote a named medicine; the MHRA's August 2026 advertising investigations say previous customers are still members of the public, so promotional emails or texts that identify a medicine in a way likely to lead to use of a POM are not appropriate. On 18 June 2026 the MHRA, ASA and GPhC jointly warned businesses against promoting pipeline weight-management medicines, including waiting lists for them, and newly licensed oral GLP-1s; naming them or using phrases such as 'GLP-1 tablets' or 'oral GLP-1s' is likely to breach the CAP Code. Guidance for industry is in the MHRA Blue Guide.

Every molecule in United Kingdom

MoleculeStatusWhat it meansVerified
AmycretinNot approvedInvestigational medicine with no UK licenceDetails →source2026-09-29
AOD-9604Not approvedAOD-9604 is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
BPC-157Not approvedBPC-157 is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
Bremelanotide (PT-141)Not approvedNo UK licence for bremelanotideDetails →source2026-09-29
Cagrilintide (and CagriSema)Not approvedNo UK licence for cagrilintide or the cagrilintide-semaglutide combination (CagriSema)Details →source2026-09-29
CJC-1295Not approvedCJC-1295 is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
DSIP (delta sleep-inducing peptide)Not approvedDSIP (delta sleep-inducing peptide) is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
DulaglutideApprovedLicensed in the UK as Trulicity for type 2 diabetes only; not licensed for weight lossDetails →source2026-09-29
EcnoglutideNot approvedEcnoglutide has no UK licenceDetails →source2026-09-29
Elamipretide (SS-31)Not approvedNo UK licence found for elamipretideDetails →source2026-09-29
EloralintideNot approvedInvestigational medicine with no UK licenceDetails →source2026-09-29
EpitalonNot approvedEpitalon is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
ExenatideUnverifiedEU authorisations exist for Byetta and Bydureon; we could not confirm a current UK licence or availabilitysource2026-09-29
GHK-Cu (copper peptide)Not approvedGHK-Cu is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
IpamorelinNot approvedIpamorelin is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
KisspeptinNot approvedKisspeptin is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
KPVNot approvedKPV is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
LiraglutideGenerics availableLicensed in the UK (Saxenda, plus generic liraglutide for weight management and type 2 diabetes since 2024)Details →source2026-09-29
LL-37Not approvedLL-37 is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
Maridebart cafraglutide (MariTide)Not approvedMaridebart cafraglutide has no UK licenceDetails →source2026-09-29
MazdutideNot approvedMazdutide has no UK licenceDetails →source2026-09-29
Melanotan IINot approvedMelanotan II is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
MOTS-cNot approvedMOTS-c is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
NAD+Not approvedNAD+ is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
OrforglipronApprovedLicensed by the MHRA on 10 August 2026 as Foundayo, a once-daily tablet for weight management and type 2 diabetesDetails →source2026-09-29
PramlintideNot approvedNot licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
RetatrutideProhibitedNot authorised in the UK; the MHRA says selling it is illegal and has raided sites making and supplying itDetails →source2026-09-29
SelankNot approvedSelank is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
SemaglutideApprovedLicensed in the UK: Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy for weight management (now also as a tablet)Details →source2026-09-29
SemaxNot approvedSemax is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
SermorelinNot approvedSermorelin is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
SetmelanotideApproved, restrictedLicensed in the UK as Imcivree for rare genetic and hypothalamic obesity; NICE funds it for POMC or LEPR deficiencyDetails →source2026-09-29
SurvodutideNot approvedSurvodutide has no UK licenceDetails →source2026-09-29
TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment)Not approvedTB-500 is not licensed in the UKDetails →source2026-09-29
TesamorelinNot approvedNo UK licence for tesamorelin; the EU application was withdrawn in 2012Details →source2026-09-29
TirzepatideApprovedLicensed in the UK as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and for weight management; NHS access is being phased inDetails →source2026-09-29

For experts

The regulatory detail

Medicines in the UK are authorised by the MHRA under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (HMR). A product needs a marketing authorisation before it can be sold or supplied (reg 46), and a substance is a medicinal product if it is presented as treating disease or is used to modify physiological function through a pharmacological, immunological or metabolic action. Licensed GLP-1 receptor agonists include semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, with an oral Wegovy approved on 11 June 2026 and a conditional MASH indication on 3 July 2026), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), liraglutide (Saxenda and generics authorised from 2024), dulaglutide, and orforglipron (Foundayo, authorised on 10 August 2026). All are prescription-only. There is no US-style compounding route for mass supply. Unlicensed 'specials' under HMR reg 167 may be supplied only in response to an unsolicited order from a prescriber for an individual patient's special clinical need that a licensed product cannot meet, and MHRA Guidance Note 14 says cost or convenience does not qualify; the manufacturer or importer must hold an MHRA specials licence. Separately, a pharmacy may prepare a medicine for an individual prescription under section 10 of the Medicines Act 1968 and HMR reg 4. The MHRA says GLP-1 products supplied as powder in vials for mixing are not authorised. Personal import: HMR reg 17(6) exempts an individual importing a medicinal product to administer to themselves or a member of their household from the manufacturer's licence requirement, but selling or supplying an unauthorised product remains an offence and the MHRA says sellers outside the UK that ship directly to UK consumers may fall outside its legal jurisdiction. Coverage and price: NICE recommends tirzepatide (TA1026, December 2024) with a phased NHS England roll-out, semaglutide (TA875, 2023) for up to two years within specialist weight management services, and liraglutide (TA664) in specialist tier 3 services; NHS reimbursement prices for Mounjaro were raised from September 2025. Neither oral Wegovy nor Foundayo was available on the NHS at approval. Enforcement: the MHRA Criminal Enforcement Unit dismantled an illicit production facility in Northampton in October 2025, raided two premises in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire in February 2026, and made two arrests in a raid near Northampton in May 2026 (about 12,000 doses of unlicensed weight-loss medicines recovered); the MHRA says the 2026 sites are believed to have been used to make retatrutide, tirzepatide and peptide products. The GPhC's April 2026 review of inspections and concerns found weight management medicines mentioned in one in twenty pharmacy inspection reports and 1,307 concerns received between January 2024 and December 2025.

Official sources we monitor

Recent changes in United Kingdom

  1. 2026-08-10

    UK MHRA approves orforglipron, the first approval in Europe

    The MHRA authorised orforglipron (Foundayo) on 10 August 2026 for weight management and for type 2 diabetes, saying the UK was the first country in Europe to do so. The MHRA noted it was not currently available via the NHS, where decisions follow established processes including a NICE evaluation.

  2. 2026-06-11

    UK MHRA approves the first GLP-1 tablet for weight loss

    On 11 June 2026 the MHRA approved semaglutide (Wegovy) tablets in the UK for weight loss and weight management in adults who meet BMI criteria. The MHRA noted that, as with all GLP-1 receptor agonists, it is a prescription-only medicine.

  3. 2026-05-29

    UK regulator reports its largest seizure of unlicensed weight loss medicines

    The MHRA said on 29 May 2026 that its Criminal Enforcement Unit had arrested two people on suspicion of offences under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 after raiding a property near Northampton and recovering around 12,000 doses of unlicensed weight loss medicines. It said the site was believed to have been used to manufacture and distribute products including retatrutide, tirzepatide and peptide products. The investigation was ongoing.

  4. 2025-09

    Mounjaro's UK list price rises from September 2025

    The Drug Tariff reimbursement prices for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) were redetermined from September 2025 to reflect an increase in the NHS list price. For example, the highest-priced pack rose from £122 to £330 and the lowest-priced pack from £92 to £133.

  5. 2024-12-23

    NICE recommends tirzepatide for obesity on the NHS in England, with a phased roll-out

    NICE published its final guidance TA1026 on 23 December 2024, recommending tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for adults with obesity who meet BMI and weight-related condition criteria. Funding was set to be introduced in phases, following NHS England's interim commissioning guidance.

Full timeline →

Sources (47)

  1. 01GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes: what you need to knowMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-02-05 · accessed 2026-09-29
  2. 02First GLP-1 tablet for weight loss approved in the UKMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-06-11 · accessed 2026-09-29
  3. 03UK first in Europe to authorise orforglipron for weight management and type 2 diabetesMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-08-10 · accessed 2026-09-29
  4. 04Semaglutide (Wegovy) approved to treat form of liver diseaseMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-07-03 · accessed 2026-09-29
  5. 05MHRA authorises diabetes drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight management and weight lossMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2023-11-08 · accessed 2026-09-29
  6. 06The Human Medicines Regulations 2012, regulation 46 (prohibition on sale or supply of unauthorised medicinal products)UK Government (legislation.gov.uk) · 2012 · accessed 2026-09-29
  7. 07The Human Medicines Regulations 2012, regulation 17 (manufacture, assembly and import; personal import exemption)UK Government (legislation.gov.uk) · 2012 · accessed 2026-09-29
  8. 08The Human Medicines Regulations 2012, regulation 167 (supply of unlicensed 'specials')UK Government (legislation.gov.uk) · 2012 · accessed 2026-09-29
  9. 09The Human Medicines Regulations 2012, regulation 284 (prohibition of advertising prescription-only medicines to the public)UK Government (legislation.gov.uk) · 2012 · accessed 2026-09-29
  10. 10Supply unlicensed medicinal products (specials)Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2025-01-29 · accessed 2026-09-29
  11. 11The supply of unlicensed medicinal products ('specials'), MHRA Guidance Note 14Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2023-05 · accessed 2026-09-29
  12. 12Borderline products: how to tell if your product is a medicineMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-07-02 · accessed 2026-09-29
  13. 13Import a human medicineMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2025-01-29 · accessed 2026-09-29
  14. 14Find product information about medicines (MHRA Products register)Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-09-25 · accessed 2026-09-29
  15. 15Blue Guide: advertising and promoting medicinesMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2025-03-28 · accessed 2026-09-29
  16. 16MHRA and partners unite to reaffirm prescription weight-loss medicine advertising rulesMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2025-09-26 · accessed 2026-09-29
  17. 17Advertising investigations: Medicinal treatment services for weight loss - August 2026Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-09-09 · accessed 2026-09-29
  18. 18Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity (TA1026)National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) · 2024-12-23 · accessed 2026-09-29
  19. 19Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity (TA875)National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) · 2023-03-08 · accessed 2026-09-29
  20. 20Liraglutide for managing overweight and obesity (TA664)National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) · 2020-12-09 · accessed 2026-09-29
  21. 21Mounjaro (tirzepatide) price increase: Drug Tariff redeterminationNHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) · 2025-09 · accessed 2026-09-29
  22. 22Weight management medicines and services: a review of GPhC inspections and concernsGeneral Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) · 2026-04 · accessed 2026-09-29
  23. 23Enforcement report: weight loss prescription-only medicinesAdvertising Standards Authority (ASA) / CAP · 2026-04-02 · accessed 2026-09-29
  24. 24Advertising guidance: Weight control - prescription-only medicinesAdvertising Standards Authority (ASA) / CAP · 2026-05-29 · accessed 2026-09-29
  25. 25What's banned in sport - the Prohibited ListUK Anti-Doping (UKAD) · 2026 · accessed 2026-09-29
  26. 26MHRA smashes major illicit weight loss medicine production facility in record seizureMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2025-10-24 · accessed 2026-09-29
  27. 27MHRA disrupts second manufacturing facility suspected to be involved in the manufacture of illegal weight loss medicinesMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-02-25 · accessed 2026-09-29
  28. 28Two arrested during the MHRA's largest ever seizure of unlicensed weight loss medicinesMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-05-29 · accessed 2026-09-29
  29. 29No summer shortcut for safe weight lossMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-07-24 · accessed 2026-09-29
  30. 30Warning on promoting newly licensed prescription-only medicines and unlicensed medicines for weight managementMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-06-18 · accessed 2026-09-29
  31. 31The Human Medicines Regulations 2012, regulation 279 (advertising of products without a marketing authorisation)UK Government (legislation.gov.uk) · 2012 · accessed 2026-09-29
  32. 32The Human Medicines Regulations 2012, regulation 4 (pharmacy exemption under section 10 of the Medicines Act 1968)UK Government (legislation.gov.uk) · 2012 · accessed 2026-09-29
  33. 33GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists: strengthened warnings on acute pancreatitis, including necrotising and fatal casesMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-01-29 · accessed 2026-09-29
  34. 34Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus): risk of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-02-05 · accessed 2026-09-29
  35. 35Fake Mounjaro (tirzepatide) KwikPen 15mg pre-filled pensMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-02-24 · accessed 2026-09-29
  36. 36TRULICITY 0.75 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen: Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), Eli Lilly and Company Limited · 2026-02-25 · accessed 2026-09-29
  37. 37Byetta (exenatide): EPAREuropean Medicines Agency (EMA) · 2024-11-06 · accessed 2026-09-29
  38. 38Bydureon (exenatide): EPAREuropean Medicines Agency (EMA) · 2024-11-21 · accessed 2026-09-29
  39. 39emc search results for exenatideDatapharm (electronic medicines compendium, emc) · 2026-09-29 · accessed 2026-09-29
  40. 40Nevolat 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen (liraglutide): Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), Zentiva Pharma UK Limited · 2025-12-15 · accessed 2026-09-29
  41. 41BIOLIDE 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen (liraglutide): Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), Biocon Pharma UK Limited · 2024-04-12 · accessed 2026-09-29
  42. 42Diavic 6 mg/1 ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen (liraglutide): Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), Ranbaxy (UK) Limited · 2025-08-12 · accessed 2026-09-29
  43. 43UK additional monitoring list, August 2026Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-08 · accessed 2026-09-29
  44. 44Single-dose 7.2mg semaglutide (Wegovy) pen approved to treat adult patients with obesityMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-04-14 · accessed 2026-09-29
  45. 45Orphan registered medicinal products (Orphan Register, September 2026)Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) · 2026-09-24 · accessed 2026-09-29
  46. 46Setmelanotide for treating obesity caused by LEPR or POMC deficiency (HST21)National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) · 2022-07-06 · accessed 2026-09-29
  47. 47Egrifta: withdrawn application (tesamorelin)European Medicines Agency (EMA) · 2012-06-21 · accessed 2026-09-29