Concerns Over 'Postcode Lottery' for NHS Weight-Loss Drug Access in Scotland
Access to NHS weight-loss medication in Scotland is becoming uneven, with only two of the 14 regional health boards providing new generation GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro. At the same time, about 300,000 people are thought to be obtaining these drugs privately.
Many individuals find private payments for these medications increasingly unaffordable. Debbie from Glasgow used to pay for Mounjaro until prices soared in September, forcing her to stop the injections and join an 18-month NHS waiting list for specialist weight-management support.
“The last time I paid for it, it was £199, and I was struggling to justify that. Then I got an email saying the same dose was going up to £301, and I thought, ‘Well, I can’t.’ So now I’ve lost nearly three stone – but how am I going to keep this weight off?
“I’m getting to the stage of desperation for that type of rise. If I could get the same medication cheaper, I would.
“I’ve since been put on an 18-month waiting list for specialist weight management support through my GP.”
Charities highlight that Debbie’s situation is common, emphasizing that maintaining healthy eating and weight management is more difficult for those with lower incomes, especially given rising food prices.
Summary
Access to NHS weight-loss drugs in Scotland varies widely by region, forcing many to pay privately at rising costs or endure long waits, disproportionately impacting people with lower incomes.
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