Pharmacies are preparing for a surge in patients starting weight loss treatment, as the first two strengths of a groundbreaking new GLP-1 pill is launched today.
A snap survey by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), who represent around 6000 independent community pharmacies in the UK, found that over three quarters (76 per cent) of pharmacies anticipate starting significant numbers of new eligible patients on the pill form of weight loss treatment in the coming months.
Meanwhile, around half (49 per cent) had received an increased number of queries from patients wanting to start treatment, in light of the approval last month by the Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
97 per cent of pharmacies were concerned that the new form of treatment would result in an increase of fake or unlicensed weight loss pills being sold on the black market, causing a risk to patient safety.
The NPA are urging patients to only access the new treatment through regulated pharmacies after a thorough two-way consultation, with previous NPA research having found that patients at two in five pharmacies had unwittingly bought medicines online from unregulated providers last year.
Medicines from unregulated providers may be faked, swapped for an alternative medicine or not meet the strict regulatory standards that exist in the UK.
1.5 mg and 4mg doses of oral Wegovy, the lowest strengths, will be available as part of weight management programmes in some pharmacies to eligible patients. These patients will still need to be supported with wrap around care and sustained changes to lifestyle and diet.
The NPA are urging the government to use pharmacies to speed up the NHS roll out and provide weight management treatment to a broader range of eligible patients, with the vast majority of patients still receiving the treatment privately through pharmacies.
Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association said:
“This is a significant day and pharmacies are bracing themselves for a surge in demand for this new form of weight loss treatment.
“This is particularly significant for patients who cannot or do not want to take an injectable medicine.
"The NHS roll out remains extremely slow and community pharmacy is ready to support a wider roll out, which will help eligible patients access treatment safely and help mitigate the impact of obesity on the NHS.
“However, as this survey shows, pharmacies are concerned about a dangerous and growing black market for weight loss medicines, with tablet form of medication likely to be easier for criminals to counterfeit.
“Patients should be wary of sites offering medicines at a cost that is too good to be true or providers who are not offering consultations before prescribing.
“If anyone is concerned by a medicine they have bought online, they should speak to their local pharmacist for advice.
“Weight loss medication is not a silver bullet and won't be suitable for all patients but it can help those who are eligible achieve a healthy weight, along with sustained changes to diet and lifestyle."
