Pharmacists will soon be able to provide weight-loss injections like Ozempic and Mounjaro on the NHS, under new government plans. Patients will only need a short consultation at the pharmacy to access the drugs, which will be available for the standard NHS prescription charge of £9.90.
A major pharmaceutical deal, worth tens of millions of pounds, is expected to fund a pilot scheme across the UK. If successful, the programme will be expanded to reach more people who need help losing weight.
Currently, these powerful injections are only available to a limited number of patients through the NHS. Access requires consultations with specialists and must be combined with other weight-loss treatments. There is also a waiting list of up to two years.
The government aims to speed up access by offering prescriptions through more accessible routes. These include high street pharmacies, health centres, and digital apps. Once the scheme begins, patients will be able to walk into a pharmacy, undergo a brief assessment, and receive the medication for £9.90.
A source close to the plan said, “People with money are already buying these drugs privately. But many from disadvantaged backgrounds are missing out. By involving local pharmacies and trusted health organisations from the start, we ensure fairer access.”
Obesity remains a major public health issue in England. Around 28% of adults are obese and another 36% are overweight. The condition costs the NHS over £6 billion a year and causes additional economic losses through reduced productivity and benefit payments.
Privately, patients can already buy the injections after a short consultation with a pharmacist. Prices range from £120 to £250 for a month’s supply. An estimated 500,000 people in the UK are already using these medications, mostly through private providers. Clinical trials show the injections can lead to weight loss of 15 to 20 percent, depending on the drug.
However, with more than 14 million obese people in the UK, experts warn that offering the drugs to everyone at once would overwhelm NHS resources. The rollout will need to be gradual to remain financially sustainable.
Some critics argue that taxpayers should not cover the cost of what they call “trendy” drugs, especially when lifestyle changes could reduce obesity. Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, stressed that patients must be properly monitored by trained professionals.
“Obesity is a long-term condition with many causes,” she said. “We welcome investment in support for people living with excess weight, but medication alone is not the answer.”
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, raised concerns about cost. “Taxpayers will question whether such a wide rollout is the best use of their money,” he said. “It’s vital the programme delivers value and avoids spiralling costs.”
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said the drugs can help patients who meet the clinical criteria. But she warned against seeing them as a quick fix.
“These drugs are not a silver bullet or a shortcut for milestone events,” she said. “The rollout must be closely monitored to ensure long-term benefits. We must also make sure GPs and NHS staff have the resources to support safe treatment.”
The announcement comes as the World Health Organization prepares to endorse weight-loss drugs for adult obesity for the first time. A leaked memo seen by Reuters revealed the WHO is planning to add the drugs to its essential medicines list, reversing its previous position. This could lead to broader global access in the future.
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