Mum Who ‘Rarely Left Home’ Becomes First in the UK to Receive Wegovy Weight Loss Injection

A mother whose weight gain during pregnancy left her feeling confined to her home has become the first individual in the UK to obtain the new Wegovy pill through an in-person service. Olufunmilayo Akinlolu, a London resident, underwent a comprehensive clinical assessment with Superdrug Online Doctor to qualify for this service. Following her assessment, she visited the Strand branch of Superdrug to benefit from the face-to-face support that their pharmacies offer. The 34-year-old is optimistic that this medication will assist her on her weight loss journey.

Known as Funmi, she stands as the inaugural patient to utilise Superdrug’s newly launched oral weight loss service. Over the years, Funmi has attempted various methods to lose weight, which she found significantly affected her quality of life. She shared, “After having my son, I really struggled. I barely left the house. It’s not always evident in photographs, but in person, I felt so uncomfortable being seen. Breastfeeding helped somewhat, but I wasn’t consistently active during that period, and the weight just kept accumulating.”

Emotional and Physical Challenges

The challenges Funmi faced were not solely physical; they extended into her emotional well-being. As a mother of two and a content creator, she remarked, “The weight had a ripple effect on everything. I’ve always been outgoing and bubbly, but I retreated into myself. Even the simple act of going downstairs became a challenge.” She expressed her desire to make this change not only for herself but also for her son, who is eager to play outside. “I want to be able to do that with him,” she added.

Her advice for anyone contemplating this service is to engage in self-reflection. Funmi advised, “Ask yourself: who are you doing this for? There were things I physically couldn’t do because of my weight, and I realised I needed help. There’s a lot of stigma surrounding this issue. It’s not about laziness; you never know what someone is experiencing.”

A Milestone for Weight Management

Superdrug highlighted that Funmi’s use of the new oral weight loss service marks a pivotal moment in its rollout, which was launched online last week. This initiative is being touted as the most affordable and comprehensive offering of its kind available on the UK high street, with prices starting from £79 for new patients. Craig Watt, Pharmacy Director at Superdrug, expressed enthusiasm about this development, stating, “Seeing our first patient access the service in person is a significant step forward for weight management. Our new oral weight loss service provides patients with greater choice and flexibility than ever before.”

Watt further emphasised Superdrug’s commitment to convenience and accessibility, noting, “With over 160 Superdrug pharmacies and 85 nurse-led clinics across the UK, coupled with Superdrug Online Doctor, patients can receive expert support either digitally or face-to-face in their local community. Our combination of nationwide support and clinical expertise positions Superdrug as the most accessible and expert-led healthcare provider on the high street.”

Accessing the Service and Benefits

Patients interested in the service must complete a thorough clinical assessment with a prescriber to determine their suitability. Additionally, Superdrug Health & Beautycard holders who access the service can earn five times the points on their consultation, which could amount to savings of up to £15. The oral weight loss service is available through the Superdrug Online Doctor website, or individuals can consult with a local Superdrug pharmacy team for further information.