GPs to roll out weight-loss jabs to 250k people

GPs will be able to prescribe weight-loss jabs to those who need them most from Monday.
Almost a quarter of million people across England will be prescribed Mounjaro, made by the pharmaceutical firm Lilly, on the NHS over the next three years.
The injections, which also include Wegovy, made by Novo Nordisk, are currently used by about 1.5 million people, but the majority of those patients access the medicine privately.
Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, said he was determined to make 'revolutionary modern treatments' available to everyone and 'not just those who can afford to pay'.
He added: 'Obesity is now one of the leading causes of ill-health, costing the NHS billions. Yet we now have the science, technology, and knowledge to end the obesity epidemic, if we seize this opportunity.
'The NHS was founded on a promise to 'universalise the best', and this Government is determined to bring revolutionary modern treatments to everyone who needs them, not just those who can afford to pay.'
He said making the jabs available via general practices was the 'beginning to shift the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention, which our forthcoming 10-year plan will deliver'.
But GPs have voiced concerns about the extra workload and pressure it will put them under. Pharmacy leaders have said pressure on supplies will also be a factor, as it has been since the drugs were first licenced in the UK for weight loss.
The jabs were initially used to treat diabetes, but as well as lowering blood sugar levels they also slow down how quickly food is digested and make people feel fuller so they eat less, helping them to lose weight.
Patients previously needed to access the drugs through a special weight-loss service on the NHS.
In the first year of the programme, the drug will be offered to people with a body mass index (BMI) score of over 40, meaning they are 'severely obese' and it is having a drastic impact on their health.
They must also have at least four other health problems linked to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Prof Kamila Hawthorne, who chairs the Royal College of GPs, said: 'While we recognise the potential benefits of weight-loss drugs, we know many GPs are concerned about the implications of the rollout of weight-loss drugs into general practice, both in terms of workload and training to appropriately initiate and manage these treatments.
'The college shares these concerns, which is why we were pleased NHS England suggested a phased rollout of Mounjaro as a treatment for weight loss.
'As and when this is escalated, appropriate resourcing for general practice – including access to 'wraparound' services – and training for GPs must follow.'
Dr Hawthorne said there is no 'one size fits all approach' to weight loss, and that the rollout of the jabs should not 'come at the expense of other weight-loss service'.
She said the rollout would need to be 'consistently evaluated to ensure that there is evidence that these prescriptions are of long-term benefit'.
Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, said demand for the jabs 'continues to rise sharply, and more GPs have been directing patients back to pharmacies after initial enquiries to access these treatments privately'.
He said the industry is expecting 'to see prescription volumes increase rapidly', but warned: 'NHS provision won't meet demand straight away, so we fully expect that many people will continue seeking it privately from a pharmacy.
'The biggest concern we have is that prescribing these medications alone misses the point. They should be part of a comprehensive weight management strategy, combining lifestyle coaching, exercise, and nutritional guidance.
'As a result, we could end up in a situation where patients are prescribed the medication, lose weight, and then experience rebound weight gain once the course ends – simply because the foundational lifestyle changes weren't addressed.'
Dr Claire Fuller, the primary care medical director at NHS England, said: 'We urgently need to address rising levels of obesity and prioritise support for those who are experiencing severe ill-health – and greater access to weight-loss drugs will make a significant difference to the lives of those people.
'These drugs are an important tool alongside the range of wraparound NHS support and advice on good nutrition and increasing physical activity, which will be vital in helping some people lose weight and reduce their risk of serious long-term conditions.
'While not everyone will be eligible for weight-loss drugs, it's important that anyone who is worried about the impact of their weight on their health discusses the range of NHS support available with their healthcare professional.'
Around 29 per cent of the adult population in the UK is obese.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

22 minutes ago

• Daily Mirror

NHS urges many people between 25 and 64 to put on key phone alert

Invitations to specific health examinations are now being issued through the NHS mobile app - here's what you need to know Certain Android and iPhone users aged 25 and 64 are encouraged to download the NHS app for important updates. This specifically regards women, trans people and anyone else with a cervix, which describes the neck of the uterus. This morning, the NHS issued a crucial alert about its mobile app on X, formerly Twitter. It stressed: "Cervical screening invitations are now being sent through the NHS App for women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64. ‌ "One - Download the NHS App. Two - Turn on notifications. Three - Book and attend your appointment, when invited." Cervical screenings, commonly called smear tests, are conducted to assess the health of the cervix and aid in preventing cancer. ‌ Generally, the examination takes around five minutes and involves undressing from the waist down before lying on a bed. A nurse will then insert a tube-shaped speculum into the vagina and expand it to visualise the cervix, from which cell samples will be collected using a small brush. Medical professionals are particularly interested in types of 'human papillomavirus (HPV)', a widespread group of viruses that may lead to changes in the cervix. HPV spreads through multiple means, including sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact in the genital area, and sharing sex toys. Although the body can eliminate HPV without difficulty, certain types may persist for an extended period. In severe instances, high-risk HPV types could lead to genital warts or cervical cancer. "Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix and helps find any abnormal changes before they can turn into cancer," further NHS guidance explains. "It's not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer. Cervical screening checks a sample of cells from your cervix for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). "These types of HPV can cause abnormal changes to the cells in your cervix and are called 'high risk' types of HPV. If high-risk types of HPV are found during screening, the sample of cells is also checked for abnormal cell changes. If abnormal cells are found, they can be treated so they do not get a chance to turn into cervical cancer." ‌ While 25 to 49-year-olds are typically invited to take a screening every three years, 50 to 64-year-olds are invited every five years. Anyone aged 65 or above may be asked if a recent examination was abnormal. Invitations are sent through the NHS app, as well as via text or mail. Am I at risk of cervical cancer? People with a cervix might be at risk of cervical cancer if they have engaged in 'any kind of sexual contact'. This includes: ‌ Vaginal, oral or anal sex Any skin-to-skin contact with the genital area Sharing sex toys This also applies in the following cases: You have only ever had one sexual partner, or you've had the same partner for a long time You are lesbian or bisexual You are a trans man with a cervix You have received the HPV vaccine You have undergone a partial hysterectomy that did not remove all of your cervix

Daily Record

22 minutes ago

• Daily Record

Who is eligible for Mounjaro as weight loss jab becomes available from GPs?

Here's who will be able to get Mounjaro, that treats types 2 diabetes and aids weight loss, on the NHS Weight-loss injections have surged in popularity over the last couple of years, fuelled by celebrity endorsements and social media exposure. And one jab that's capturing public attention and dominating headlines is Mounjaro. Tirzepatide, to give the treatment its medical name, is a prescription injectable medication designed to help adults with type 2 diabetes better manage their blood sugar levels. ‌ When combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, it can significantly improve glucose control, supporting a more balanced approach to diabetes management. ‌ While originally developed to manage type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro has been licensed in the UK to treat obesity since November 2024, and is effective in helping patients achieve significant weight loss. Mounjaro received approval from NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) for treating obesity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland had already approved Tirzepatide for obesity treatment through the Scottish Medicines Consortium, leading the way in making this medication available to patients. But as of today, Monday, June 23, GPs in England will be able to prescribe weight loss jabs for the first time on the NHS, as the health service begins its mass rollout. Some 220,000 people with the "greatest need" are expected to receive Mounjaro, made by pharmaceutical company Lilly, through the NHS over the next three years. ‌ So, amid the recent change, who is actually eligible for Mounjaro? According to NHS England, the first group of patients who will be able to get the jab from their GP or a community clinic, will be those most in need. In the first year of the programme, the drug will be offered to people with a body mass index (BMI) score of more than 40 who have at least four other health problems linked to obesity, such as: type 2 diabetes; high blood pressure; heart disease; and obstructive sleep apnoea. ‌ It was previously only accessible to patients through a special weight loss service, to severely obese people who also suffer from a range of other health problems. People will also get "wrap-around" care - including support with exercising and following a healthy diet, for example. But prescriptions for the drug will not necessarily be available from all local GPs, according to the BBC. In some cases, they will come from other primary care services. ‌ Some GP practices have issued notices on their websites saying very few patients on their lists, external will qualify for the medicine straight away and if anyone doesn't meet the criteria, they should not book an appointment. What's more, according to the Company Chemists' Association, the trade association for large pharmacies, it is not looking too promising that all patients who want Mounjaro and meet the criteria will get it straight away. Chief executive Malcolm Harrison said "it is unlikely that the planned GP provision will be sufficient to meet patient demand". ‌ The drug is usually delivered through a self-administered weekly injection which a doctor or nurse will show patients how to use, the NHS website says. Very few people are currently being prescribed drugs for weight loss on the NHS in Scotland, research by BBC Scotland News has established. Here, health boards make decisions on which medicines are available in their areas. In the same breath that we talk about people who are eligible for Mounjaro, there are groups who cannot take it. Mounjaro is not recommended for those who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, breastfeeding or have certain health conditions, according to the NHS. For those taking the contraceptive pill and using Tirzepatide, the NHS recommends using an additional method of contraception, such as a condom, for the first four weeks of treatment and for four weeks after each dose increase as the contraceptive pill may not be absorbed by the body during this time. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

BBC News

29 minutes ago

• BBC News

National investigation into maternity care announced

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced a national investigation into maternity care in "rapid" inquiry will urgently look at the worst-performing maternity and neonatal services in the country, including Leeds, Sussex, Gloucester, and Mid and South has met parents who have lost babies in a series of maternity scandals at some NHS trusts and said the investigation would "make sure these families get the truth and the accountability they deserve". It will begin this summer and report back by December 2025. The review will look across the entire maternity system, bringing together the findings of past reviews into a clear national set of actions to ensure every woman and baby receives safe, high-quality and compassionate the announcement on Monday, Streeting apologised on behalf of the NHS to those families who had suffered avoidable comes after a series of maternity scandals, including in Morecambe Bay, East Kent, Shrewsbury and Telford and said the review would be co-produced with the victims of maternity scandals, giving families a voice into how the inquiry is said he wants to ensure "no parent or baby is ever let down again".