Quick answer: Wegovy (semaglutide) is available in NZ by prescription and is not funded. To get it: complete a brief intake, have a GP telehealth consult, receive a prescription if appropriate, then fill at a pharmacy. Prices vary by pharmacy; confirm locally before you start.
Who Wegovy is for (at a glance)
- Adults: BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with weight-related conditions.
- Adolescents (12+): Can be considered under clinical guidance when criteria are met.
- Heart health: In some adults with established cardiovascular disease and BMI ≥27 (no diabetes), Wegovy can reduce major CV event risk—ask your clinician.
Step 1 — Secure booking & short intake
Book online and complete a brief health form so your clinician can assess eligibility, risks, and goals (how it works).
Step 2 — Telehealth consult with a GP
Your Vital Health doctor reviews your history, medications, weight-related risks, and lifestyle. If suitable, you’ll get a personalised plan and a prescription for Wegovy (GLP-1 telehealth consult | lifestyle medicine).
Step 3 — Fill the prescription at a pharmacy
- Confirm current pharmacy pricing and any courier/dispensing fees.
- Ask about stock and the dose you’re starting on (titrates gradually).
- Plan storage (refrigeration rules) and travel with pens if needed.
Step 4 — Follow-up & dose adjustments
We check progress, side-effects, and goals, then adjust the dose or plan. Follow-ups keep treatment safe and cost-effective (pricing | about Dr Adrian Laurence).
Costs & funding in NZ (simple)
- Funding: Wegovy is currently not funded in NZ; patients pay the full pharmacy price.
- Typical range: Often in the mid-hundreds per month. Always confirm with the exact pharmacy you’ll use.
- See our companion page: Wegovy cost NZ and compare with Ozempic price NZ.
Safety & who should not use Wegovy (short list)
- Discuss history of pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, severe GI disease, and eye disease (if diabetic).
- Common effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea/constipation—usually eased by slower titration, smaller meals, hydration.
- Read the official medicine information and contact your clinician for red-flag symptoms.
Ready to start safely?
Book a Vital Health telehealth consult. If it’s right for you, we’ll prescribe Wegovy and support you with a full plan and follow-up.
FAQs
Is Wegovy available in New Zealand?
Yes. It launched in NZ in 2025 and is available by prescription. Supply and retail price are set by pharmacies.
Is Wegovy funded by Pharmac?
No—Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide) are not currently funded in NZ. You’ll pay the pharmacy’s retail price plus fees.
Do I need a prescription?
Yes. A clinician must assess suitability, check interactions/risks, and prescribe if appropriate, with planned follow-up.
How do the doses work?
You start low and increase gradually over several weeks to improve tolerability. Your clinician will set the schedule and review how you’re tracking.
Can teens use Wegovy?
Adolescents aged 12+ can be considered in specific circumstances under medical supervision. A detailed clinical assessment is required.
Disclaimer: Educational information only, not personal medical advice. Always consult your own clinician for diagnosis and treatment.