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.
New polling commissioned by the NPA, who represent over 6000 independent community pharmacies, and carried out by Savanta found that:
· 21 per cent 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 per cent of 16–34-year-olds. This is compared to only 7 per cent of those over 55.
· 41 per cent agreed that they would access weight loss treatments on the NHS if it was made available to them, rising to 64 per cent 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 1 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 co-morbidities.
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 Sir 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 per cent of weight loss medication prescriptions were made by pharmacies in April this year, NPA estimates show.
Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association said:
“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.
"It's clear from this polling that many more people are interested in getting weight loss jabs than would actually be suitable for treatment.
“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 roll out 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.”
Notes to Editors:
Savanta interviewed 2,002 UK adults aged 18+ online between the 20th June and 23rd of June 2025. Data were weighted to be representative of the UK by age, gender, and region. Savanta is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
