Henry Gregg, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association said:
“Pharmacies take their responsibilities seriously to provide full wrap around support to patients trying to achieve a healthy weight.
“We know that although medication can be effective in speeding up weight loss in some people, it is not a silver bullet and patients need to make long term lifestyle changes to make their weight loss sustainable.
“The current NHS roll out of weight loss treatment is very small, with only a handful of patients receiving it and it will continue to be the case that the vast majority of eligible patients will be seen by their pharmacy.
“Obesity is one of the biggest health challenges of our generation.
“If the government want to scale up the NHS roll out to help more patients, they should use the massive skills and expertise of pharmacies and fund them to reach millions more of those most in need of help.”
