Is the Wegovy pill available in the Netherlands? Here’s how it works

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Smaal-Mousawi, BIG registration number 59064386401

Since the Wegovy pill was approved in the European Union, we’ve been getting a lot of questions about it. The most common one: can this pill be prescribed in the Netherlands if the manufacturer doesn’t sell it here yet? The short answer is yes. In this blog, we explain how that works.

What is the Wegovy pill?

The Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as the well-known Wegovy injection. The difference is the form: you take the medication daily as a tablet instead of as a weekly injection. The pill was developed by Novo Nordisk and is available by prescription only, after a medical assessment by a doctor.

Approved across the EU, including the Netherlands

The Wegovy pill has been approved for the European Union following a positive assessment by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). This kind of European approval applies in every EU country, so the pill is a fully approved medication in the Netherlands too. It’s exactly the same Novo Nordisk product that’s used in other EU countries.

So why isn’t the pill in Dutch pharmacies yet?

Approval and market launch are two separate steps. After approval, the manufacturer decides when a medication becomes available in each country. Novo Nordisk hasn’t launched the Wegovy pill in the Netherlands itself yet. In Germany, the pill is already available.

How can Goodweigh supply the pill?

We source the Wegovy pill from Germany through parallel import. Parallel import is a legally regulated and controlled way to bring an approved medication from one EU country to another. It has been used in the Netherlands for many years for a wide range of medications.

Here’s how it works:

• Official origin: the Novo Nordisk pill comes from the official, regulated distribution chain in Germany.

• Dutch packaging: a certified pharmacy repackages the medication in line with current guidelines, including a Dutch patient information leaflet.

• Fully traceable: every package can be traced through its batch number and authenticity features, and is checked before it’s dispensed.

• Same medication: nothing about the pill itself changes. Only the outer packaging and the leaflet are in Dutch.

• Medical assessment: you’ll only be prescribed the treatment after a medical assessment by our BIG-registered doctors.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Wegovy pill from parallel import as safe as the pill from a Dutch pharmacy?

Yes. It’s the same approved medication from the same manufacturer. Only the packaging and leaflet have been adapted to Dutch, by a certified pharmacy and in line with current regulations.

Why is there a Dutch sticker or packaging on a German medication?

With parallel import, the medication is repackaged so you get all the information in your own language. This is required, and it means you can read the leaflet properly.

Can I get the pill without a prescription?

No. The Wegovy pill is a prescription-only medication. A doctor first assesses whether the treatment is right for you.

Still have questions?

Not sure about the Wegovy pill or how to use it? You can find more information on our Wegovy pill page.