Wegovy launches in Czechia: New era for obesity treatment begins

A long-anticipated weight-loss drug has officially arrived in Czechia, offering new hope to the country’s growing population of people struggling with obesity.

Wegovy, developed by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, is now available by prescription to those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, making it the first injectable drug legally accessible to non-diabetic patients in Czechia solely for weight reduction.

Wegovy contains a higher dose of the active ingredient semaglutide than its predecessor, Ozempic, which has been used for years in treating type 2 diabetes. Though Ozempic was also effective for weight loss, Czech authorities restricted its prescription to diabetic patients only, following shortages and concerns about misuse.

Administered as a weekly injection, Wegovy works by reducing appetite and slowing digestion, helping users lose a significant portion of body weight over time. According to clinical studies, patients taking Wegovy lost an average of 14–17 percent of their body weight over 72 weeks—a figure that rivals surgical interventions and far exceeds results from traditional diets.

“The arrival of Wegovy gives us a much-needed new option for treating obesity in the Czech population,” said Dr. Marie Skalská, a nutrition and sports medicine specialist in Hospodářské noviny. “It’s not meant for minor weight loss but for patients who are facing real health risks due to their weight.”

Wegovy’s Czech launch comes amid a national health crisis: more than 60 percent of the population is overweight or obese, and Czechia ranks among the most obese countries in Europe. Experts warn that obesity contributes to rising rates of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions, and that treatment options have long been insufficient.

Still, the new drug does not come cheap – patients must pay the full price, estimated at around CZK 8,000 per month. And while effective, semaglutide-based treatments are not a magic bullet. Doctors caution that lifestyle changes remain essential for long-term results.

“Obesity is a complex disease,” said Dr. Martin Haluzík, chairman of the Czech Obesity Society. “Medications like Wegovy are powerful tools, but they work best when combined with changes in diet, activity, and behavior.”

With Wegovy now on pharmacy shelves, Czech patients finally have access to a treatment that has transformed obesity care abroad – and a chance to turn the tide of a growing national epidemic.