Contractors could struggle keep up with demand for weight-loss jabs, a new poll has warned, with a big majority of young adult respondents saying they would access weight-loss jabs if made available on the NHS.
The poll also revealed 21% 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.
Some 41% agreed they would access weight-loss treatments on the NHS if they were made available to them, rising to 64% of 25–34-year-olds.
Read more: Online pharmacy calls for end to weight loss jab ‘stigma’
However, reacting to the poll, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said “many of these patients are unlikely to be clinically eligible”.
It said this could risk potential patients turning 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”.
It comes as an online pharmacy has called for a “fundamental shift” in the public’s perception of weight-loss jabs to end the “stigma” around them.
BMI
Mounjaro and Wegovy are licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30, or between 27 and 30 with one weight-related co-morbidity.
However, the NHS is currently targeting patients with a BMI of over 40 and at least four co-morbidities.
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The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has suggested pharmacists looking to prescribe weight-loss jabs should have a full two-way consultation with a patient.
A prescriber should also review all relevant historical medical records before the treatment is prescribed, the NPA said.
Though the government referenced weight-loss jabs when it announced the 10-year plan, no details have been released as to the role pharmacies will play.
Read more: All the headlines from the government’s NHS 10-year plan
“We’re urging the government to bring forward plans to include pharmacies in the rollout,” said Olivier Picard, NPA chair.
“Pharmacies are well placed to help roll this treatment out on the NHS, and help people make the best use of these powerful medicines.
“We want to make sure supplies are carefully managed so that those in most clinical need can benefit from weight loss medication.”
Read more: Wegovy and Mounjaro: HSCC launches weight loss jab inquiry
Savanta carried out the NPA-commissioned poll between June 20 and June 23 and interviewed 2,002 UK adults aged 18+ online.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary health and social care committee (HSCC) this month launched an inquiry into the “challenges and opportunities” of weight loss injections, issuing a public “call for evidence” to help inform its investigation.
And Prime Minister Keir Starmer hinted at plans to make “innovative” weight loss services “available in pharmacies” in the future as part of the 10-year plan.
