UK facing unsustainable demand for weight-loss jabs, says pharmacy group
UK pharmacies have warned that spiralling demand for weight loss medication risks going far beyond what is clinically deliverable, as new polling shows demand for weight loss treatment is ballooning to unprecedented levels.
The poll was commissioned by the National Pharmacy Association, which represents over 6,000 independent community pharmacies, found that:
- 21% of the public agreed that they had attempted to access weight loss treatments in the last year through an online or in-person pharmacy, rising to 35% of 16–34-year-olds. This is compared to only 7% of those over 55.
- 41% agreed that they would access weight loss treatments on the NHS if it were made available to them, rising to 64% of 25–34-year-olds. This is despite many of these patients being unlikely to be clinically eligible.
The findings highlight the booming demand for private and NHS weight loss services.
The NPA warned that many patients interested in using the medication are not eligible to do so.
They said that spiralling demand, fuelled in part by social media, risked people being tempted to resort to unregulated online suppliers instead of regulated pharmacies, staffed by medical professionals who use weight loss jabs alongside a structured programme designed to help people change their behaviour.
Mounjaro and Wegovy are licensed by the MHRA for use in patients with a BMI of over 30 or between 27 and 30 but with one weight-related co-morbidity.
However, the NHS are currently only rolling out Mounjaro to patients with a BMI of over 40 and at least four comorbidities.
The GPhC recently responded to NPA calls to introduce new regulations to protect patients buying weight loss medication online, ensuring a full two-way consultation takes place with a patient as well as a prescriber having to review all relevant historical medical records before the treatment is prescribed.
During the announcement of the 10-Year Health Plan, Prime Minister Kier Starmer said he wanted the plan to deliver ‘things like innovative weight loss services – available in pharmacies.’
However, no details have been announced yet about the role pharmacies could play in the NHS rollout of the service, and the NPA have called for greater clarity. At least 85% of weight loss medication prescriptions were made by pharmacies in April this year, NPA estimates show.
“Weight loss jabs are one of the biggest drug innovations this century, but growing demand for weight loss treatment highlights the need to make sure this is appropriate for those who want it,” said Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association
It’s clear from this polling that many more people are interested in getting weight loss jabs than would be suitable for treatment, he said.
“We want to make sure supplies are carefully managed so that those in most clinical need can benefit from weight loss medication. We’re also urging the government to bring forward plans to include pharmacies in the rollout of their NHS weight management programme.
“Pharmacists are experts in medication and many have extensive experience delivering weight loss injections as part of a package of care, including lifestyle advice. Pharmacies are well placed to help roll this treatment out on the NHS, and help people make the best use of these powerful medicines.”
